9 days ago my son found Daisy lying on her back outside. She was pretty much lifeless. Since then she has been kept inside. She will not/cannot stand. She prefers to lay on one side. She eats & drinks VERY little and I can tell she has been losing weight. Often when she does eat or drink something, she has like some neck spasm that her neck stretches all the way out on the floor and she spreads her wings out, it's almost like she has no control of it. She laid an egg, without a shell, that first night, but nothing since. She only poops when we massage it out of her - and it is blackish/brown & runny and smells horrible. Last night I was able to get about a teaspoon of olive oil down her. After that she seemed a little perkier and ate and drank more than normal for a while. She is a golden sex link, about 10 months old. We are new at this chicken business, have had our 6 girls for 10 months now. I have researched so many things, but nothing really seems to fit. Also after we found her, she had a horrible green bruise under one wing, it is looking alot better now though. No other wounds. I REALLY appreciate any and all help! Thank you!
Oh I'm so sorry, this sounds horrible! Here's a link that might help: http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/common-chicken-illnesses-and-treatments.html When I first read your post it almost sounded like she'd been paralysed, but of course it could be something else. Keep updating !
Thank you both - I was starting to think Maek's, but after reading the dummies link from darwinchooks, I am wondering if it could be Newcastle disease. We had an old bird nest sitting on the back deck, and now that I think about it, I noticed it ripped up and destroyed about the time that Daisy first became ill. Do you think it would be possible to get it from the nest?
