My chicken lethergic and lost a balance few times not right

[Honomi]

I'm a beginner for chicken, I started keeping chickens 8 month ago. My two hens are Warren, they are about 12 months old.
Yesterday morning they were fine running out in garden, in the afternoon they had a usual lazy time in the pen with treat of cooked pearl barley with cauliflower greens. But in the evening when they were out again until their bed time, I noticed one of the girls went very lethargic, absolutely no motion what so ever. no pecking, no stepping, she was just standing still, then she stared closing her eyes, she looked ......not right and poorly. I encouraged her to walk back to the pen and she did with great effort but steps were stumbled.
This morning she looked better, pecking food and drinking ok, laid egg, too. She looked still lethargic and something isn't right, slower as compared with normal.
Today I kept her most of time in the coop but let her out in the pen for about 20 minutes. During this she stumbled and lost her balance twice, jolted her body on the ground then immediately she flaps a little to get her balance back to stand up.
I went to the farm where I've got chickens and asked their opinions. Farmer gave me apple cider vinegar and white-milky salt stuff, use for human drips apparently, but I'm not sure what its called, so I gave them some. He also suggested to let her vomit but I haven't come around that yet. - I'm scared to do this as I never done it .
I've also noticed 2 days ago both girls were doing gasping air action a lot, but I didn't see them doing this yesterday and today.
Do I really have to let her vomit? Does anyone know how to cure or suggest what I can do for her? Has the cooked pearl barley made her ill?

 

[CarlieO]

I'm a beginner for chicken, I started keeping chickens 8 month ago. My two hens are Warren, they are about 12 months old.
Yesterday morning they were fine running out in garden, in the afternoon they had a usual lazy time in the pen with treat of cooked pearl barley with cauliflower greens. But in the evening when they were out again until their bed time, I noticed one of the girls went very lethargic, absolutely no motion what so ever. no pecking, no stepping, she was just standing still, then she stared closing her eyes, she looked ......not right and poorly. I encouraged her to walk back to the pen and she did with great effort but steps were stumbled.
This morning she looked better, pecking food and drinking ok, laid egg, too. She looked still lethargic and something isn't right, slower as compared with normal.
Today I kept her most of time in the coop but let her out in the pen for about 20 minutes. During this she stumbled and lost her balance twice, jolted her body on the ground then immediately she flaps a little to get her balance back to stand up.
I went to the farm where I've got chickens and asked their opinions. Farmer gave me apple cider vinegar and white-milky salt stuff, use for human drips apparently, but I'm not sure what its called, so I gave them some. He also suggested to let her vomit but I haven't come around that yet. - I'm scared to do this as I never done it .
I've also noticed 2 days ago both girls were doing gasping air action a lot, but I didn't see them doing this yesterday and today.
Do I really have to let her vomit? Does anyone know how to cure or suggest what I can do for her? Has the cooked pearl barley made her ill?

I'm sorry to hear your girl is not feeling well! Do you know if they were vaccinated for Mareks? The stumbling and gasping sounds like Mareks but there are many other things it could be too. I would start with finding out their vaccination history.

 

[Honomi]

I haven't done any vaccination for her unless something was done at the farmer before she moved to my place. I can ask farmer her vaccination history tomorrow. Mareks?- I better study what's that like.

 

[CarlieO]

I haven't done any vaccination for her unless something was done at the farmer before she moved to my place. I can ask farmer her vaccination history tomorrow. Mareks?- I better study what's that like.

I would definitely ask the farmer if he/she vaccinated prior to selling the birds. They must be vaccinated at day 1 (24 hours old) as soon as they hatch. Vaccinating them after that is much less, if at all, effective.

Also, remember when reading up on Mareks that her symptoms can also be indicative of other illnesses too so don't panic quite yet, lol!

 

[Honomi]

Farmer said she has been definitely vaccinated,.but she might be the one off thing...
She looked little better this morning so I let her out in the garden for half an hour, occasional wobble when she was scratching but she looked happier walking on grass. Lunch time I gave her boiled egg yolk mixed with yogurt, I've heard they are pretty good, and In the meantime I've looked at few websites about Marek's. I thank you, some Marek symptom match with her but there are other illness could indicate too- I'll bear in my mind.

 

[CarlieO]

Farmer said she has been definitely vaccinated,.but she might be the one off thing...
She looked little better this morning so I let her out in the garden for half an hour, occasional wobble when she was scratching but she looked happier walking on grass. Lunch time I gave her boiled egg yolk mixed with yogurt, I've heard they are pretty good, and In the meantime I've looked at few websites about Marek's. I thank you, some Marek symptom match with her but there are other illness could indicate too- I'll bear in my mind.

That's excellent that she's been vaccinated! Yogurt + egg is a great choice. I would definitely recommend some vitamins in her food and or water as well. She may have a deficiency of some sort. You can find powdered vitamins at a local feed store for under $10 and the bottle will last a long time. They also have them in the liquid form. I would do that ASAP to correct any deficiencies she may have. Keep us update! I'm glad to hear she seems happier!!!

 

[Eggcessive]

Do not cause your chicken to vomit. This is sometime done to help sour crop (which your chicken doesn't seem to have,) and it is very dangerous since they can choke to death. Chickens can stiil get symptoms of Mareks if they weren't vaccinated and kept completely away from Mareks dander in the environment for 2-3 weeks to develop immunity. I hope it's not Mareks, but you may find a lot of information in these links: https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq
http://extension.unh.edu/resources/files/Resource000791_Rep813.pdf
http://partnersah.vet.cornell.edu/avian-atlas/search/disease/502
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/741957/not-an-emergency-mareks-in-the-flock

 

[Honomi]

Lots of things to learn from info above, thanks. My girl is looking better today no problem walking but gasping air few times again. The other girl (I only have two hens) is also gasping air few times. Possibly they both have it.. Does anyone know signs of Marek's like gasping air and problems with their limbs and how often these sings appear? And how long these symptoms will reoccur for? Is there a typical life span once Marika's symptom started to show or how long does Marika's illness take to kill the chicken? I am mot concluded my chicken has Marika's disease but just asking these questions in case...

 

[Eggcessive]

Aside from gasping, are there any other symptoms of respiratory disease? Don't want to overload you with info, but aspergillosis is a disease caused by mold in the environment or feed. It can cause silent gasping, and weakness in the legs. Here is a link: http://www.thepoultrysite.com/diseaseinfo/7/aspergillosis

 

[Honomi]

I don't see any other sign of respiratory problem since. In fact they hardly do gasp the air now, nothing like I've seen when I posted initially (about 6 months ago). I've given them water with ACV and simple but good foods everyday. They look well, running, eating, drinking, laying eggs and never lost a balance since, too. Perhaps through summer, weather is less damp in Cornwall, England, and that helps them. So I'm happy where they are now, but fingers crossed they remain without gasping air- problem.

P.S. I'm sorry for long delay answering your post/ question. I've just noticed your post has been sitting unopened.