Need opinions on sick bird.

[Chasity]

She is at egg laying age, and was purchased at TSC earlier this year. Our girls have a large outdoor habitat that they range and scratch in regularly. Last night when I went out to lock everyone up she was in the house in a nesting box with her mate. I did not think much of it because it appeared to be a good thing that she was settling in to the house at night where it is safe. I have a few bantams that go high up in a tree.

This morning I went in to take a look at everyone, and open up for the day, and I noticed her standing in the floor with her head hanging down. @ days ago she seemed fine, so it is something new, but what. She has not lost weight, but does not have an appetite. If needed I will syringe feed later in the day. I don't know what I am dealing with here, and it looks like when the ducks had limp neck disease last year. With antibiotics they pulled through, and the vets office told me that the chickens, goat, dogs, and people could not get it; just water fowl.

I feel helpless seeing her so vulnerable. HELP!



I am worried that she will drown in her water, but I want her to drink it. She was ok with me picking her up, and usually has more of a mind of her own; her terms...



I tried to add the one from 2 days ago, but it is not loading?????

 

[willowbranchfarm]

How does her poop look??? Does she have any mites on her??? Has she been wormed??? Check her vent and make sure she doesn't have an egg stuck.

 

[Chasity]

How does her poop look??? Does she have any mites on her??? Has she been wormed??? Check her vent and make sure she doesn't have an egg stuck.

I have not seen her poop yet. She has only been separated from the other ~50 for an hour or so.

Feathers are in great shape, no signs of mites on skin either. We have put out diatamatious earth recently for worm and such. even dusted areas of heavy bird foot traffic.

Vent is tight, and body feels normal. No protrusions.

She did have a little runny nose, and I put her in a spot where she can get some natural light. She also started drinking just a Little while ago (Duramycin & vitamins/electrolytes). This is not given unless sick. We are not registered as organic, but use natural practices. I also gave her bitty food that has higher protein.

Any other ideas that affect bids in large runs exposed to lots of nature?

I have some Lixotinic but it was for the ducks after a predator attack when I was nursing them back from Gain green. I don't know if it could help boost her or not. It is not expired, and was very costly per ounce.

 

[Chasity]

I have another bird that has had a limp for some time now. She is very mild mannered, and gets ran over even by chicks, so I HAVE HER SEPARATED FROM ALL OTHER BIRDS AS WELL. We could not find her injury on the leg, but she still does not walk on it, and behaves like she is worn out. She has had a little bit of a runny nose as well. Not all the time, but I have wiped it for her. My hands are getting chapped from so much washing.

 

[willowbranchfarm]

Is her crop full or empty?? Has she eaten anything like hay or bedding?? Is there anything poisonous that they could have gotten to??

 

[Chasity]

Is her crop full or empty?? Has she eaten anything like hay or bedding?? Is there anything poisonous that they could have gotten to??

I don't think she has anything in her crop.

She could have eaten wheat straw bedding from the nests, but it is feed quality. No poisons that I am aware of??? Maybe... could be different types of Ivy, or NC jasmine. I don't think birds would eat things that are in nature that have poison to them. They eat a lot from our gardens, but no spray....

Her neck appears to be partially paralyzed... What could cause that in yard birds?

 

[willowbranchfarm]

Could another chicken have damaged her neck somehow??

 

[Mtn Laurel]

Could she have gotten into compost, rotting vegetation, old leaf litter, or could her food have gotten wet and maybe moldy? Has it been hot? You might want to read the link below from the Merck Veterinary Manual regarding Botulism. It's also called "Limberneck" as they hang their heads much like your chick is doing. If you think that's what it could be, you'd want to flush her system out. I've read where you can flush them with a mixture of molasses and water but don't know the amounts. Probably a search on here will give you better instructions on that aspect.

I'm new to chickens and certainly no expert but I lost a bird to what I think was Botulism, which is more prevalent when it's hot.

Check this out: http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index.jsp?cfile=htm/bc/205400.htm

Best of luck!

EDIT: Here's a link to a discussion about Botulism including pics of the sick bird. On the 2nd page you'll find a post giving info about flushing with molasses.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/219553/help-what-is-wrong-droopy-wing-beak-down-pictures

 

[Chasity]

Could she have gotten into compost, rotting vegetation, old leaf litter, or could her food have gotten wet and maybe moldy? Has it been hot? You might want to read the link below from the Merck Veterinary Manual regarding Botulism. It's also called "Limberneck" as they hang their heads much like your chick is doing. If you think that's what it could be, you'd want to flush her system out. I've read where you can flush them with a mixture of molasses and water but don't know the amounts. Probably a search on here will give you better instructions on that aspect.

I'm new to chickens and certainly no expert but I lost a bird to what I think was Botulism, which is more prevalent when it's hot.

Check this out: http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index.jsp?cfile=htm/bc/205400.htm

Best of luck!

EDIT: Here's a link to a discussion about Botulism including pics of the sick bird. On the 2nd page you'll find a post giving info about flushing with molasses.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/219553/help-what-is-wrong-droopy-wing-beak-down-pictures

I will read it, but the vet told me last year that it was just water fowl that get that. I had two ducks trying to drown in their pool last year around this time.... He knows I have many chickens, and said that they could not get it, but that is what it looks like to me too!

 

[Chasity]

Could another chicken have damaged her neck somehow??

They could because there are many in that area.