Loss of Balance in Hen

[Lilbrownie]

So I have about a 9 month old bantam Cochin hen who has lost her balance! She is eating fine and her poo seems normals but when she tries to walk she topples over or goes head first into the ground! I have her now away from the other chickens and she seems alert and her appetite is still going pretty well! Has anyone ever had this and what did you do to treat? I am at a total loss as to what to do!

 

[etammy]

she may have been exposed to the Merke's virus. It causes all kinds of neurological issues. They can survive it , at least for a while, even years in my case. Give her and all of them some vitamin B12 and E in their water. The vit. B 12 a small amount each day, the vit. E a small amount say every other or third day for at least two weeks. I had a hen go paralized this treatment worked in two weeks she was fine, she lived another 2.5 years. Others will die from the exposure. My vet says all birds get exposed to it. Good luck.

 

[Prettyhorse32]

I am having same thing happening w one of my Cochin bantam, she seemed fine yesterday today she is very unsteady on her feet! And tips to side and forward definitely off balance. I seperated her from the rest and thinking she may be dehydrated!! I really don't know!! Would like help!!

 

[Michael Apple]

So I have about a 9 month old bantam Cochin hen who has lost her balance! She is eating fine and her poo seems normals but when she tries to walk she topples over or goes head first into the ground! I have her now away from the other chickens and she seems alert and her appetite is still going pretty well! Has anyone ever had this and what did you do to treat? I am at a total loss as to what to do!

If it were something like Mareks disease, there's nothing that can be done. It is possible that the bird ingested something toxic, which can cause some of the symptoms you stated. Take a look at this link from Merck: http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index.jsp?cfile=htm/bc/203500.htm
Sometimes Vitamin-Mineral supplements can get the bird back on track in addition to throwing out possibly spoiled feed and good coop keeping.