Nellie Needs Help!

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I've noticed that Nellie has been lethargic lately. I thought it was because I put too much DE in her dust dish and she probably inhaled it. I washed her and her cage, and took it out immediately. Now I see that she can't stand, and flops down as soon as I let her be. She uses her wings to try and balance herself and barely move on her own. She's very sleep all the time. There seems to be sores behind each of her legs, behind her knees or hocks or whatever it's called. Yesterday I really thought she was going to die.
I know nothing about chickens and I really don't want to be the cause of her death.

Is this something treatable? What should I do for her??

 

[chkn]

The sores are on the back of her legs? I'm thinking scaley leg mite and the general overall weakness due to other external parasites.

 

[scratch'n'peck]

Scaly leg mite would cause raised rough scales on her legs. Actually the stuff used for earmites for dogs and cats would work if rubbed on her legs. Some people just use vegetable oil for a minor case. I don't think I have ever heard of them causing lethargy though. It doesn't seem like DE would cause such problems as long as is was food grade DE (which anything from a pet store would be).

 

[scratch'n'peck]

I think I remember now you saying that she had a fecal test when you took her to the vet last time, so that would probably rule out worms, but you could call the vet to double check that. For external parasites you can dust the chicken with sevin dust. I have even seen people say that their vet recommended it. I have heard some say that they sprinkle the dust in a bag and then put the chicken in the bag with the head sticking out. That way they rub the powder in without getting it on the chicken's face.

 

[scratch'n'peck]

At feed stores they also have Permethrin poultry dust usually, which can be used instead of Sevin.

 

[scratch'n'peck]

Have you seen Nellie eating and drinking?

Other things people do to help ill chickens are to feed moist items like cooked rolled oats mixed with regular feed or scrambled eggs. You can also give her three drops of POLYVISOL Enfamil formulation (childrens A-B-D3 liquid vitamins) in beak once a day for a week and taper off the next. Offer a live culture yogurt free choice.

 

[jjthink]

Was it food grade DE?
JJ

 

[scratch'n'peck]

Here is a link to scaly leg mite thread with a picture for comparison. https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=33903