Please any idea what's wrong?!

[3LilBirds]

My chicken is almost 8 weeks now. I've been looking over symptoms of gapeworm, and other health issues and I'm not sure what to do or treat her for. She shakes her head constantly, gags sometimes, she is really weak, she crawls instead of walks, sits when she eats and drinks. There is NO discharge from eyes or nose, no sounds of respiratory infection. We've tried looking in her mouth to see if there are worms but her mouth is too tiny to see in. I don't know what to do. No vets around here will even look at her. I don't want to lose my girl. Any idea what's possibly go on? My Silkie is upset and can tell something is going on. He sits with her and grooms her. Please anyone give me an idea of what to do to help her.

 

[thechickenman1]

have you tried anti-biotics? most feed stores have them. most hatcheries as well. i don't like antibiotics used much but, i keep them around just for these types of things.

 

[3LilBirds]

What kind and how much? Will they tell me that at the feed store?

 

[3LilBirds]

Also can she have antibiotics at her age?

 

[3LilBirds]

I've gotten her to eat quiet a bit and gave her some sugar water. She has perked up a bit but still very wobbly on her feet.

 

[raising the roost]

Hope she pulls through, it is so sad to lose our pets. Just in case she doesn't make it, UC Davis runs a free necropsy program. It gave me peace of mind for the rest of my flock when I lost one.
105 W Central Avenue
San Bernardino, CA 92408 2113
(909) 383-4287

 

[3LilBirds]

Thank you!

 

[Lacrystol]

Try soften up the food, this way she will drink and eat at the same time, Chickens love it they act as though you just bought them a bag of candy. Feel her crop is should be empty in the morning and full at night, feel to see if it's soft or hard, smell her breath, check for an ordor. Perhaps the soft food will help with anything that's stuck, if there is something stuck try olive oil. What does her poop look like, is it runny, is it solid and normal. If it's gape worm try worming her, I use Ivermin, 3 drops under the wing.. I don't think you need antibotics just yet though...

 

[3LilBirds]

Try soften up the food, this way she will drink and eat at the same time, Chickens love it they act as though you just bought them a bag of candy. Feel her crop is should be empty in the morning and full at night, feel to see if it's soft or hard, smell her breath, check for an ordor. Perhaps the soft food will help with anything that's stuck, if there is something stuck try olive oil. What does her poop look like, is it runny, is it solid and normal. If it's gape worm try worming her, I use Ivermin, 3 drops under the wing.. I don't think you need antibotics just yet though...

Lastnight I put her in her own brooder because the BRs were stepping on her. I smell no odor. Lastnight she did gobble down a lot of food after I put her in her own space. Her poop consistency looks normal but it's small. Tiny little poops. Could that mean blockage? I did notice she ate some pine shavings the other day. I stopped her but who's to say she hasn't been eating them. I put some old shirts in the brooder with her that she is in now instead of pine shavings. She is perky, alert but still weak when it comes to trying to walk. If there is blockage, can that do that?

 

[Lacrystol]

Could be blockage but I would wait for the next time she poops, if she hasn't been eating that would cause small poops, since you said she ate like a pig once she was by herself then check out her droppings. See if they improve, get some olive oil just in case but I would wait to see how the next one is.