Lethargic Pullet

[redhen689]

When I typed the above post, she appeared to be having convulsions. She felt very warm to me. Many years ago when I had an injured chicken a vet told me over the phone that I could give a tiny sliver of a baby aspirin for pain. At his point, I figured it couldn't hurt to try it for a fever, so I cut a tiny sliver off a baby aspirin, and pushed that into her beak. She slept for a while after that. When she tries to walk she staggers, but she is no longer having the twitching movements.
On a good note, earlier I had gotten some of my chick feeding supplies out. She managed to make her way over, (only a couple of feet) to the red feeder and started pecking at it, even though it was empty. I decided to put some chick feed in it, and while her aim is way off, and I had to help, she was able to eat a little bit.
I'm not getting my hopes up to much, but we'll see how she looks tomorrow if she makes it that long.

 

[micstrachan]

Were you able to get some Corid in her? Keep us posted!

 

[redhen689]

She survived the night. She did drink a little water with corid in it, but not much. I'm on my way to work a 12 hour shift today, so she's pretty much on her own. We'll see what the day brings. (DH is here, but he's not a "chicken person".)

 

[HeyHo]

Glad to hear! Let us know what happens. I had the same issue last weekend with my pullet and the BYC experts were right on.

 

[redhen689]

Good news! She is still alive.
Bad news is that she is still very weak and lethargic, but I think slightly improved from yesterday afternoon/evening. My husband put her back in the coop for the day, I just brought her back in for the night. Force fed her a little hard boiled egg. She is sleeping now.

 

[redhen689]

Just an update. I arrived home from work a few minutes ago. DH had said he would move her back into the coop for the day. When we talked on the phone, he said that she looked much better. When I went out to the coop, I could hear her, but didn't see her at first. She had gone out into the fenced in run (New addition since the predators) and then gone under the coop. It seemed that she was very unhappy under there, and couldn't figure out how to get out. It took me a few minutes, but I got her and put her in the coop for a moment, She went right to the feeder and started eating, but I have it a little bit high and she was struggling to reach it. I brought her back inside, and she has been eating and drinking for a few minutes. She still is lethargic, but so much improved since Wednesday.
I have been keeping chickens for 18 years and this is the first time that I have had this happen to a pullet.
I am grateful for your help. I am giving all the pullets Corid for 5 days. We are on day 2.5.

 

[redhen689]

I thought I'd try to put her in the coop for the night, but she seemed distressed, so I brought her back in the house. I didn't want to keep her separated too long, because sometimes there are problems with reintroductions. I try again tomorrow. Hopefully she waill continue to gain strength!

 

[redhen689]

Another update: Progress has been very slow. At times I think there is no progress, but she is better than she was on Wednesday. Her appetite is good, She still seems uncoordinated, but she is definitely better than she was 4 days ago. She wants to be with the others, but isn't able to keep up with them.

 

[micstrachan]

Can you keep her in a crate within the run for part of the day so she can be near them, but keep safe and rest? What are the temperatures like where you live?

 

[redhen689]

I think it took me too long to treat her. She ended up with neurological damage, and has not been progressing. I had never had a chicken with these symptoms before and didn't know what I was looking at. She is dying now.
Unfortunately I have another pullet that was fine yesterday morning but now will not bear weight on her right leg. Another thing that I have not dealt with before. I did a quick search, but see several people who posted similar symptoms with no replies. I'm not sure what to do with her.