Lethargic hen, suspect Marek's

[Henhouse Harlot]

I'm going to go do some chicken nutrition reading

 

[Chickeeaholic]

This is a good quick article outlining some problems with vitamin deficiencies.

https://afs.ca.uky.edu/poultry/common-nutrition-related-problems-poultry

My guess from what you described is b deficiency related. When you said you thought she had Mareks, B2 deficiency can be mistaken for Marek's disease.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Does anyone have experience with treating a vitamin deficiency..? I'm not sure if I need to give her more, or..?

How much are you giving?

"More" is not always the solution. Keep her on the vitamins, eating/drinking well and see how it goes.
She may have something else going on. Silkies seems to be more prone to neurological problems, disease like Marek's and have other issues. Give her a bit of time.

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.

 

[Henhouse Harlot]

@Chickeeaholic Thank you!

@Wyorp Rock Thank you for all your help! I did get the E and B complex, and I guess I had assumed one dose would do the trick? I'm not entirely sure! However, I just gave her some clean water and more E & B!

 

[Henhouse Harlot]

This is strange, I'm starting to wonder about botulism/mycotoxins?? She's bright-eyed and responsive, her poop is normal looking, her gasping and tremors have stopped, but she's still super weak and tires easily. I don't think it's Marek's, but this is a puzzle!
I found a couple potentially good links;

https://www.uoguelph.ca/ahl/diagnosing-neurologic-disease-backyard-chickens

 

[Henhouse Harlot]

Her neck is back to the noodle-neck, and her poo is still well formed, consistent and good looking. Weird!

 

[Henhouse Harlot]

She's preening. Wobbly and weak but still preening? I gave her a half tablet of B complex, I didn't realize it had vitamin C...
In 1 tablet:
100mg B12
25mg B1
1000mg biotin
20mg B2
400 mcg folic acid
5.5mg panthenic acid

60mg vitamin C

 

[Henhouse Harlot]

I gave her half of each the day before yesterday, and the same again last night. She is able to hold her neck up with difficulty, but her coordination is way off. When she eats/drinks it looks like she's throwing her beak at the food and hoping to make contact.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

You can try tube feeding her or hold her head while she eats soupy feed.

There are many causes of neurological symptoms, it's hard to know unless you lose the bird and have a necropsy through your state lab.
General treatment is giving vitamin support and see if it helps. Sometimes it can take weeks to see much improvement (depending on the cause). Quality of life does need to be considered daily.

 

[Henhouse Harlot]

@Wyorp Rock
That's the strange thing, she's eating successfully, and drinking as well on her own. Not in the most coordinated manner, but she's managing. And preening! Which is really strange for a chicken who isn't well.

All in all, she's perfectly happy living in my bathroom, eating, drinking, preening and being very floppy/wobbly.

She can move around a bit in her crate, but not gracefully. Like with the eating, she's having serious trouble controlling her muscles. I'm starting her on antibiotics tomorrow, botulism hasn't been ruled out!

(I have no problem putting her down though, if she's eating and drinking on her own though I'd like to give her a chance. )