new chicken not acting like the rest?

[Bantumbarnyard]

so my grandmother found a chicken that was possibly a pet and someone got rid of it when it got too big. i took it with me since her chickens kept attacking it and i felt sorry for it on thursday. i was starting to take care of it over the weekend and see how it acts, and had it with the other chickens i have for a little while. it seems to not want to walk around, and has trouble finding the food in feeders or on the ground if i scatter it. it also seems to not have really good balance, it will walk a little ways before sitting down, and my chickens are able to knock it over if they walk past it, and the chicken seems to have trouble to figure out which way is up after this happens. it also doesn't roost or try flapping its wings. wings don't appear broken in anyway. it doesn't look like a Cornish, which i hear have trouble with walking around. could it have some sort of concussion from when it got attack by my grandmothers chickens, or some sort of chicken problem that goes with certain breeds?

 

[WallyG74]

Sounds like it’s blind if can’t even find the food. If it’s one thing chickens are good at, it’s eating!

 

[Bantumbarnyard]

REally?i know it just pecks at the ground that its standing on. that is why i was so confused, mine can even hear when i am opening the food containers, and this one just sorta sits there. is there any way to help it out? i am not sure what to do on how to teach it where food and water is at?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Can you post some photos of the chicken? Whole body, eyes, legs, feet, bottom of feet too please.

A video of it moving would be good too - upload video to youtube and provide a link.

 

[Bantumbarnyard]

 

[Bantumbarnyard]

 

[Wyorp Rock]

it seems to not want to walk around, and has trouble finding the food in feeders or on the ground if i scatter it. it also seems to not have really good balance, it will walk a little ways before sitting down, and my chickens are able to knock it over

seems to have trouble to figure out which way is up after this happens. it also doesn't roost or try flapping its wings. wings don't appear broken in anyway.

I'm sorry. Her stance says she's not well.

It could be that someone lost this chicken on purpose (dumped it) instead of putting it down. As sad as that sounds, it happens.

I would not put her with my birds. From your description, I would agree, it sounds like she can't see. Hard to know if she's blind or has a disease like Marek's. I don't necessarily see a mishaped or odd color eye, but the weakness and not being able to walk I would worry about her having disease that could be passed on to others.

IF you want to try and help her - see if she reacts to your hands around her face. Try to test her sight somehow.
Look her over for lice/mites, consider getting a fecal float to see if she has worms and get her eating/drinking. I would also give her poultry vitamins for a week - direct dose of Poultry Cell at 1cc per 3 pounds of weight.

I'm very sorry about her and don't want you to think I'm coming off cold or harsh. Sometimes we face things we just don't like. There's been so many that have taken in sick or "rescued" birds only to find out they are not well and then their own flock ended up sick with something. Sometimes it's the opposite and things work very well - you just never know.
Me personally, I would cull her, BUT if you want to try...I will be more than happy to help you and offer all the suggestions I can think of

 

[Bantumbarnyard]

I separated her as soon as I saw how she was reacting to others and was worried about a disease or wound since I never seen a chicken who couldn't roost. Not sure if contagious but assuming so, since she was around my grandmother's chickens since June and they seem to be fine. I guessed she was probably dumped because my grandparents are the only people on their street who owns chickens.

 

[Bantumbarnyard]

it seems to be better then when I first posted this thread And as soon as I got a small chick sized feeder and water it seemed to cheer up and started going for the bright red colored area where the food is. So it could just be partially blind or is only able to recognize the chick feeder.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

it seems to be better then when I first posted this thread And as soon as I got a small chick sized feeder and water it seemed to cheer up and started going for the bright red colored area where the food is. So it could just be partially blind or is only able to recognize the chick feeder.

Good idea! O.k. So she can see colors or at least recognize a few things.
I'm still trying to be cautious, but wonder if she's dehydrated and weak from not eating/drinking.

I would still direct dose her with vitamins for several days too. Encourage her to drink first, then eat.