Lethargic chicken not moving, eating or drinking

[sunnyjal]

Hello, first post here because i noticed this morning that my bantam chicken isnt very well. Shes just sitting fluffed up on the floor, not sure if she can perch, keeps shaking her head and closing her eyes. Shes also not eating anything so her crop feels completely empty, also her comb has gone a dark purple kind of colour while also looking quite dry. Have given her a little warm bath as she had a very dirty underside, and persuaded her to have a very small amount of sugar water and some scrambled egg via syringe. Currently have her in the kitchen wrapped in some towels, have had to keep her chest propped up as her neck is very floppy and her head keeps falling back (also means we had to hold her up straight so she could swallow egg and water). Shes a tiny bit less floppy than before and managed to protest at her bath a bit but not sure its that much of an improvement. I would be very grateful if anyone has any tips or ideas of what to try to improve her condition.
Many thanks in advance!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Welcome to BYC!
Can you post some photos or a video of her?
Can she walk - if so, how is she walking?
It could be a vitamin deficiency, wry neck or other illness. Poultry vitamins can be found at your local feed store. Look for one that has Vitamin E, selenium and the B vitamins.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq
http://partnersah.vet.cornell.edu/avian-atlas/search/disease/502#/disease/Marek's_Disease

http://www.raising-happy-chickens.com/wry-neck.html

http://www.thepoultrysite.com/publications/6/diseases-of-poultry/217/vitamin-b2-deficiency/
http://www.tillysnest.com/2014/03/vitamin-deficiencies-in-backyard-chicks-html/

 

[sunnyjal]

Hello, thank you for your suggestions but unfortunately the chicken didn't last much longer after the first post. For future reference, are vitamin deficiencies or wry neck quite common problems in chickens? Just wondering in case we have any further problems with the rest of the flock. Many thanks!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Not necessarily "common" I suppose.
Sometimes a chicken may not be able to utilize the vitamins and minerals in their food properly, hence a deficiency. There are various diseases that can look like vitamin deficiencies as well. Wry neck is a bit more common in young chicks, but can affect older birds as well, especially if there is an underlying health problem.


The Marek's link I gave you has a good overview of not only Marek's but vitamin deficiencies that "mimic" it.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq