Please help! Need advise on a sick hen.

[stellasstar]

I am at a loss with my sick chicken and would appreciate any advise. This month has had huge up and downs for her. Here is her backstory.

A little over one month ago I noticed one of my hen's vision was failing (she would run into things and couldn't see treats on the ground in front of her) so I quarantined her in a small coop with her own food and water. A few days after her vision failed she was unable to walk. Her talons were curled in and she was basically motionless. I added a supplement to her water and after a few days of eating and drinking she was able to stand/walk again.

Two weeks of care and she was ready to free roam with the other hens once more, though her vision never improved. I let her free roam with the others for about one week. Even with her bad vision, she was walking and running and having a great time.

Yesterday I went to check on her and she was motionless in the coop. She wouldn't make any sounds to me (she talked throughout this entire month, even at her worst) and her toes were curled up again. She is refusing to eat or drink and her head is slightly shaking like if she is cold. I made a small bed for her in the house and she is now sleeping with her head behind her wing.

I am at a loss. I thought I was loosing her one month ago but with a little extra care and some supplements, she bounced right back. She isn't making any sounds, will not eat or drink, and is very lethargic. We are at 24 hours now without any food or water.

Does anyone have any idea or advise? I will answer any questions needed. I can not thank you enough for your help; I really love this chicken and I want to make sure I give her every chance she deserves.

Thank you so much!

-Stella

 

[Eggcessive]

How old is your chicken? Was she vaccinated for Mareks disease? Have you add any new chickens to your flock in the last couple of months? What do you feed? Can you get some Poultry NutriDrench or Poultry Cell and give her 2 ml orally every day for a few days? Can you also get a picture of her eyes? Do her eyes appear faded or greyish and have tiny or irregular pupils? If you lose her, try and get a necropsy from your state vet to look for Mareks. Here is a list of state vets, and bodies have to be kept refrigerated, but not frozen:
https://www.metzerfarms.com/poultry-labs.html

 

[Eggcessive]

Here are 2 good links about Mareks disease:
http://csu-cvmbs.colostate.edu/Documents/vdl-mareks-disease-fact-sheet.pdf

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq.66077/

 

[stellasstar]

How old is your chicken? Was she vaccinated for Mareks disease? Have you add any new chickens to your flock in the last couple of months? What do you feed? Can you get some Poultry NutriDrench or Poultry Cell and give her 2 ml orally every day for a few days? Can you also get a picture of her eyes? Do her eyes appear faded or greyish and have tiny or irregular pupils? If you lose her, try and get a necropsy from your state vet to look for Mareks. Here is a list of state vets, and bodies have to be kept refrigerated, but not frozen:
https://www.metzerfarms.com/poultry-labs.html

She is about 3 and a half years old. She is not vaccinated (from what I know); we got her from Tractor Supply as a chick so I am unsure of her history before that. We got two new (also unvaccinated) chicks over a year ago. They are a year and a half old. We feed our hens Purina Layena Plus Omega 3 Hen Feed.

I have been giving this hen Poultry Cell for over one month now and saw a huge improvement in her ability to walk after about one week. She was on it for about 3 weeks and will start it again today. I will attach photos of her eyes. They do not appear grayish and seem to be correctly sized to me.

Thank you so much for your help!