Lethargic hen, suspect Marek's

[Henhouse Harlot]

Oh! Bedding! Pine shavings.

 

[Razzlefrazzle]

Not egg bound, I dumped some Nutri-drench down her throat a bit ago, that seems to be helping a bit. Vitamin or mineral deficiency..?

Vitamin deficiency can definitely cause neurological symptoms. Don't think it could hurt to give a 400 iu vitamin E supplement and 1/4 B complex once day for a few days. Also a little egg to help with e uptake.

 

[Henhouse Harlot]

"Standing on her hocks" is what she's doing. No toe curling though!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Can you please provide some clear well lit photos of her - eyes, head, legs/feet, ears, body shots, poop, etc.?

She stinks. Where is that smell coming from? Find out. Look inside her beak for any lesions/yellow pasty material. Look in her ears for infection (inside of ears should look clean not dirty, smooth with no bugs, no waxy material). Look at her vent - any discharge, maggots, does she have poop clinging to her butt that needs cleaning off, etc. Any wounds under the wings that may be infected.
While you are examining her, looking over every inch of her under her feathers for the source of the stink, look really close for lice and mites.

Hydration first. Antibiotics probably wouldn't hurt to start those.
I'd get some human Vitamin E soft gels (400IU) and give her 1 of those daily. While you're on the vitamin aisle, pick up a bottle of B-Complex and give her 1/4 tablet daily.
Poultry Nutri-Drench is great in a pinch, but it does not contain enough E or B1 to give at therapeutic levels to treat neurological symptoms.



The symptoms you describe can be a number of things. You've received some good suggestions. If you happen to lose her, then a necropsy would give you the best answers.

 

[Henhouse Harlot]

@Wyorp Rock Thank you! I'll post some pictures/video tomorrow if she is still here.

 

[Henhouse Harlot]

Well, she's looking better today. She's drinking on her own, with much better head control and balance. I'm about to go get some human vitamins, in the meantime here's a video and pictures of her Giant Turd.

 

[Henhouse Harlot]

That blue/green hue is just my camera, the white part is white! Her poo looks wonderful, which is confusing!

 

[Henhouse Harlot]

I'm having a hard time uploading the video, I'll figure it out though!

 

[Henhouse Harlot]

An update on the "bad smell"...

After careful examination and much sniffing of the hen in question (to the extreme amusement and delight of my 9 year old..lol), I was forced to admit that she smells exactly like a Silky chicken who has never had a bath.
Imagine that.
When I brought her inside my little studio apartment, of COURSE the whole place immediately became very fragrant! Just like the bottom of my barnyard boots.
Up until now, the only chicken to come inside has been my fluffy little "Purse Chicken", who is incredibly prissy and clean (for a chicken..)
So!
Mystery solved!

 

[Chicken Heel]

Sounds more like botulism or poisoning (or other infection) than Marek's.

https://www.omlet.us/guide/chickens/chicken_health/illness/

Is she pooping or possibly egg bound?


Different ages.. most likely cause at yours stated age is coccidiosis.

I had suspected coccidiosis and started the two remaining Shetland Hen pullets and three cockerels on Corid Wednesday evening. The affected pullet seems better today, and the others have not shown any signs of being affected as of yet. I had also removed the extension cord from the radiant heater yesterday because I thought it could have possibly been lead poisoning from it.