Old sick chicken, not sure what happened

[irishchickens101]

I always get ex-battery hens so they often die quite a bit younger then other hens, I have one hen about 4-5 years old who had a fall this morning she's quite elderly and couldnt get up. I brought her inside and after she eats she shivers like she's having problems swallowing, has anyone had this problem or know how I can help? I've given her some water and she's having a sleep right now

 

[azygous]

What made you think she had a fall? Did you see this? Or did you find her lying on the floor under a perch?

Have you tried encouraging her to stand in order to check her balance and level of strength? What is her behavior now? Is she fluffed up, eyes droopy and dull or even closed?

Has it been unexpectedly cold? What were the temps just prior to this occurrence? If it's been below freezing, you can try wrapping her in pre=warmed towels to see if that revives her.

It would be a good idea to treat her for shock and/or weakness to see if raising her glucose levels has an effect. If it revives her, then you will know this is temporary and not a sign of a serious illness. Give warm sugar water with a pinch of salt and baking soda.

 

[irishchickens101]

What made you think she had a fall? Did you see this? Or did you find her lying on the floor under a perch?

Have you tried encouraging her to stand in order to check her balance and level of strength? What is her behavior now? Is she fluffed up, eyes droopy and dull or even closed?

Has it been unexpectedly cold? What were the temps just prior to this occurrence? If it's been below freezing, you can try wrapping her in pre=warmed towels to see if that revives her.

It would be a good idea to treat her for shock and/or weakness to see if raising her glucose levels has an effect. If it revives her, then you will know this is temporary and not a sign of a serious illness. Give warm sugar water with a pinch of salt and baking soda.

She fell over trying to get down a very small ramp so her balance is off, she can stand fine but her wings are droopy the weather has be 17°C ish the last couple days so she's fine weather wise, she's fluffed up but no droopy or dull eyes

 

[azygous]

See if the sugar and electrolytes revive her. She may not have been getting enough to eat. Sometimes we don't notice a chicken getting bullied away from the feeder until she collapses from hunger. It happens more than you think. This is an important step in rullng out simple causes so we can finally arrive at what may be wrong.

Feel her breast bone. Is it prominent and sharp? That would be a sign of starvation. Is there any discharge from her vent? What do her poops look like? You might isolate her so you can observe these things.

 

[irishchickens101]

See if the sugar and electrolytes revive her. She may not have been getting enough to eat. Sometimes we don't notice a chicken getting bullied away from the feeder until she collapses from hunger. It happens more than you think. This is an important step in rullng out simple causes so we can finally arrive at what may be wrong.

Feel her breast bone. Is it prominent and sharp? That would be a sign of starvation. Is there any discharge from her vent? What do her poops look like? You might isolate her so you can observe these things.

I already did that and she'slighter than the other by quite a bit but all her poops are normal and her vent is clear, I've just given her electrolytes and sugar water, thanks for the suggestion, I'll keep you updated