Please Look-Pullet Near Death

[coffeemama]

I have gotten some information on my hen, but wondered if anyone thinks this is a nutrient deficiency. I have a BO pullet (not laying) that is about 4 months old and a Dom bantam roo that is about 3 months old. I also have some older pullets, another 4 month old pullets and some older hens. They are all fine.

The BO started having a staggered walk a month or so ago. I have not really done much with her, but have brought her in a few times, and she seemed to get better. Well the past few days she has gotten worse, and today was down in the yard and couldn't get up. She's in the bathroom warming up now.

A few days ago my little roo also started limping bad-could barely walk. I see no injuries-warmed him up and he is a little better today.

The whole flock eats layer pellets because I can't really separate the food. I am wondering if maybe they are having a nutritional issue because they are young and eating layer pellets. What does anyone else think? Any suggestions? The roo seems like he will pull through, but the pullet is completely unable to stand/walk at this point.

 

[Dorothy1324]

It could be some type of infection and you may want to concider treating your whole flock with antibiotics they make it that you can put in the water and then they all drink it.

 

[silkiechicken]

I don't think the layer pellets would deprive them that much of anything at 4 months old. I've fed layer to 16 week old birds without issue. Could be that particular bird has something up with it developmentally or neurologically. Or perhaps if you are in a city setting, got into something bad, or ate a bunch of bugs or mice that were poisoned somewhere.

Maybe something genetic? Did you raise them from chicks. I'd keep them inside for now and feed nutrient packed foods such as boiled egg yolk. Not sure what they have though.

I would NOT treat with any antibiotic if you do not know if it is a bacterial infection or if there is no apparent risk such as a animal bite or skin breaking injury. Using antiboitcs when something is likly viral or as a preventative measure is a good way to encourage resistant bacteria in your flock and on you so they do not work when you need them. Bacteria can pass resistance between both good and bad things, and transfer that to baceria that normally live on humans.

Good luck!

 

[B. Saffles Farms]

I dont think its a problem with layer pellets. Feeding them layer pellets they should be fine. Its sounds like you have another problem.

 

[junebug7334]

it sounds more acute than a feed problem.

 

[chickenzoo]

Have they lost weight? Worms can really bring them down fast, as well as coccida. I give all my sickly birds baby bird hand feeding formula, mashed can dog food aswell as a poultry version of Red Cell. I have had very thin near death birds bounce back while tube feeding this. Also Amoprilum for coccida works well if that is part of the problem. If you rule out worms, infection or vitamin def, Mareks diease is possible if the staggering/not walking and weight loss continue.
Best wishes

 

[coffeemama]

Thanks for all the replies

I wouldn't treat with antibiotics unless it was really necessary, and I don't think it's an infection. It could be worms, but I just can't see none of the other birds showing any signs-seems strange.

I'd wondered about Merak's (sp)-these were bought as hatching eggs, but are from a reputable BYCer.

Glad to know that nobody thinks it's the food-I didn't really but had a few people bring it up. I have a mixture that I'm going to feed her for the next few days to see if it helps. It does seem kind of like a neurological problem may be the issue. I'll give her a little boost and see if she improves, but she may just have to be dispatched.

 

[sammi]

have you checked the hen's crop?
is she eating as usual?
could she be being bullied away from food and water and weak from lack of food?

describe the droppings..color and consistency..
could have worms.
have the birds been wormed?

I wouldn't go with an antibiotic just yet..
but I would try some vitamins..if you have poultry vitamins on hand, give her some in drinking water.
or try and get some Poly-vi-sol liquid baby vitamins, Enfamil brand, if possible..2-3 drops on beak once a day, taper off for another week.
some extra protein might help also..
some cooked egg, or grower feed..
some people give a little kitten feed..

check the vent for drainage.
check the eyes for swelling or wetness, drainage from beak, wheezing or breath sounds.
also..check the eyes for gray color..

 

[coffeemama]

have you checked the hen's crop?
is she eating as usual?
could she be being bullied away from food and water and weak from lack of food?

describe the droppings..color and consistency.. totally normal
could have worms...maybe but thinking no
have the birds been wormed? was advised to wait until they are 6 months so no

I wouldn't go with an antibiotic just yet.. won't
but I would try some vitamins..is getting vitamins now

some extra protein might help also.. she's now on a handmade extra protein diet
some cooked egg, or grower feed.. yep
some people give a little kitten feed.. nope

check the vent for drainage. none
check the eyes for swelling or wetness, drainage from beak, wheezing or breath sounds. none
also..check the eyes for gray color.. not grey

Thanks

 

[silkiechicken]

If she has been bullied from food, add our recent bad weather, I could see how that could make her weak. If you have any vet near by, they can run a fecal float test to see if she does have worms or cocci though. With perfectly normal droppings, she must be eating something though. Lack of eating often results in slimy green poos.