Injured, shaking head, walking slow and falling over

[StormyRidgeChixLady]

My chicken was attacked by the other chickens. They tore her back and around her tail up pretty bad. In some places to the bone. I separated her and put nitrofurazone puffer on her wounds. I had to leave town for a week so my husband has been making sure she is fed and watered. 2 days ago (7 days after the injury) he said she was having poor balance and walking slow. Then yesterday said she would fall on her face or over. So I told him how to treat her for coccidiosis. He said she seemed a bit perkier today but I’ve started to wonder if it could be worms. I have 40 chickens. No one has been exhibiting signs of either. I used to use wazine for worms but I can’t find it hearing it has been discontinued. However the feed store recommended a product called Xpel! It’s organic for gut health and internal parasites. So I purchased that on the way home and a vitamin mineral supplement to add to her water. I see her now and I believe she needs a salve like nitrofurazone gel to help with the dryness of her wounds but also she is doing a constant head shake which In all my years haven’t experienced. Anyone have any suggestions or ideas? She is eating and drinking some but very lethargic and all the other signs I mentioned. And was doing well until recently. Coccidiosis? Worms? Ear mites? Bacterial infection? I definitely don’t want to over medicate her. So I’m trying to narrow it down. Thanks...

 

[StormyRidgeChixLady]

I have been researching these symptoms and it’s all over the place. Does anyone have any ideas? In reading other posts and threads I’m wondering if she has mites. Since it says that’s where they tend to feed, and I wonder if that’s why they attacked her back end and around the vent ... eating mites But no other chickens have these symptoms or symptoms of mites. She is yawning now. But I’m guessing it’s bc I put some grass and eggs in with her and she just gobbled it up. So maybe adjusting her crop. I dont know.

 

[StormyRidgeChixLady]

Today she seems more alert and eating well. Preferring picked grass over most every thing else. She can walk some but I’ve noticed her toes are curled up when she is trying to walk or stand. I know I’ve gotten no help or responses so far.... but thought I’d try again. Does this on top of everything else narrow down what might be wrong? Thank You in advance for anyone who takes the time to help us.

 

[LaFemmeKatia]

I feel bad that no one has answered your post. Unfortunately, I am no help because I am fairly new to chickens myself and I have no idea what would be causing this.
Curling her toes as well as the falling sound like a neurological problem.
I hope someone with some knowledge of these things can help.
Meanwhile, google “curling toes, chickens”, and see what comes up.

 

[StormyRidgeChixLady]

Thank You. I have. Maybe a riboflavin deficiency They recommend most that I have done giving her greens, scrambled eggs, supplements. I’ll go get some yogurt and vitamin B2 today in case the minerals and vitamins haven’t covered that. Gave her some canned cat food to go along with everything else just for added protein. Just thought surely someone had some advice. I don’t live close to town so if I needed a certain antibiotic or something I didn’t have I was hoping for a recommendation since I’m going into town today. But it’s been almost 24 hrs and your the first response. Thank You for replying though it means a lot. I’ll just keep doing what I’m doing, doing all I can, but I won’t let her suffer. I took about 5yrs off of having chickens and some of the meds I used to use aren’t around anymore, and overmedicating, trying to treat what might be this or that is just as bad as doing nothing. So was trying to get a feel for if anyone else had dealt with this and what they used. This is a problem I’ve never had. Thank You again.

 

[LaFemmeKatia]

Thank You. I have. Maybe a riboflavin deficiency They recommend most that I have done giving her greens, scrambled eggs, supplements. I’ll go get some yogurt and vitamin B2 today in case the minerals and vitamins haven’t covered that. Gave her some canned cat food to go along with everything else just for added protein. Just thought surely someone had some advice. I don’t live close to town so if I needed a certain antibiotic or something I didn’t have I was hoping for a recommendation since I’m going into town today. But it’s been almost 24 hrs and your the first response. Thank You for replying though it means a lot. I’ll just keep doing what I’m doing, doing all I can, but I won’t let her suffer. I took about 5yrs off of having chickens and some of the meds I used to use aren’t around anymore, and overmedicating, trying to treat what might be this or that is just as bad as doing nothing. So was trying to get a feel for if anyone else had dealt with this and what they used. This is a problem I’ve never had. Thank You again.

That is a possibility, I read that. I would try that. And I would try Nutri-Drench. A lot of people on this site swear by it, for treating deficiencies.
I guess it could also be a head injury from the attack, possibly. I just don’t know enough about chicken issues yet.

 

[StormyRidgeChixLady]

That is a possibility, I read that. I would try that. And I would try Nutri-Drench. A lot of people on this site swear by it, for treating deficiencies.
I guess it could also be a head injury from the attack, possibly. I just don’t know enough about chicken issues yet.

When I was researching it on this site I saw how those symptoms may look like a head injury. But they just attacked her on her back and unless she bumped her head while trying to get away. And actually when I found her she was eating and they were just picking at her butt. Not sure how she could eat through being pecked to the bone but chickens are pretty resilient. However, the head shaking did not start until seven days after the incident… So I wasn’t sure if it was sign of some sort of infection etc. and if so what sort of antibiotic would be used. I have court for coccidiosis but not sure else what I would use. I will definitely look and see about the Nutri drench. Thank you for the recommendation