Lathargic Hen- UPDATE, I think she's having seizures

[CarriBrown]

DLH- She's doing fine being hand fed, etc but I still don't see much of an improvement. Should I be worried yet?

 

[arlee453]

I don't know if this relates or not, but i had a chick here that developed the croook neck symptoms at about 2 weeks. I'm convinced it was due to an injury.

I just provided the supportive care and it took about 5-6 days and s/he's completely fine now.

Of course, young ones tend to be more likely to get over that type of thing and/or quicker than adults some times.

I'd not give up on her yet as long as she is able to eat and drink...

 

[dlhunicorn]

unless you know for sure what is wrong (which could be many things) the extra warmth and nutritional/vit support is simply going to help sustain/support her won immune system to fight off/get her through whatever is ailing her... it may take a while so be patient .

 

[ruth]

In addition to the vitamins try feeding her high protein foods - shredded cheese; cooked eggs; dry cat food wetted down & mashed up. Ruth had same symptoms and I gave vitamins and hand fed protein foods till she recovered so not sure which worked, maybe a combination of all of the above. Take a look at Ruth today by clicking on my home page. She's beautiful but notice how sick she looked at 10 weeks old.

I'm probably the only person on here who does not believe that the commercial feeds are everything they are cracked up to be. Chickens are omnivores and need the "living" foods like grass, veggies, fruits, bugs and not the "processed" foods like commercial feeds that were designed to keep a chicken alive long enough to kill it and cook it. Mine free range all day and get lots of extra foods. Never had a problem with any of them since I stopped feeding chicken feed exclusively. Now it's in their feeders and it's the last thing they eat.

 

[dlhunicorn]

A good general complete (for poultry) supplement would be better than cat or dog food... Avia Charge 2000 is one that is also suitable for organic certified. Live culture yogurt (free choice) and (farmed) mealworms are also good when not given in excess. Unfortunately the last revision of the NRC reccomendations (what the commercial feeds are based upon) was in 1994...many in the industry are complaining about that and supplementation seems to be the norm for them too.

 

[CarriBrown]

I think she may like the mealworms. I do want to get some protein in her, though. Good news... She pooped yesterday!

So at least I'm getting some food through her now!

 

[bayouchica]

Hope your hen gets better soon, sending good thoughts your way.

 

[seminolewind]

Do you think she's having seizures, or maybe, did she have a stroke? (walking in circles, holding neck crooked). My old horse walked circles for 3 days, the vet said he might have had a mini stroke.

 

[CarriBrown]

Quote:
That's what DH and I are thinking. Dlhunicorn- Do you have any adivise as far as that goes?

 

[dlhunicorn]

there are many things that can cause this symptom... read about some of them here:
http://dlhunicorn.conforums.com/index.cgi?board=emergencies&action=display&num=1160928615