Polish acting sick

[Heather67]

I have a 6 month Polish hen (not laying yet) that I found head first in a corner of the coop. No visible injuries. She is shaking her head back and forth and looks to be breathing heavy. I can see her back go up and down. She is in a tub away from others and walks almost in circles. If someone could help figure out what’s wrong I would appreciate it. It’s been cold yesterday and today.

 

[lbgreenfield]

I have a 6 month Polish hen (not laying yet) that I found head first in a corner of the coop. No visible injuries. She is shaking her head back and forth and looks to be breathing heavy. I can see her back go up and down. She is in a tub away from others and walks almost in circles. If someone could help figure out what’s wrong I would appreciate it. It’s been cold yesterday and today.

Sorry this is happening to your girl! My Silkie would sometimes act like this and it was from a hard peck to the head from another hen. I know silkies (and possibly polish too) have thinner skulls that make them susceptible to head injuries. Is she eating/drinking/pooping OK? I’d continue to monitor her and see how she does. My Silkie would take a day or so to return to normal.

 

[Heather67]

I have her in a tub away from everyone so I can monitor her. She’s been eating and drinking ok. I’m wondering if my big Roo got on her today.

 

[lbgreenfield]

I have her in a tub away from everyone so I can monitor her. She’s been eating and drinking ok. I’m wondering if my big Roo got on her today.

Might be the case. The bantam breeds can be targets for bullying. Feed her some of her favorite foods (mine love cooked oatmeal) and keep watching her. Hopefully she recovers!

 

[Heather67]

She just passed away.

 

[lbgreenfield]

She just passed away.

Oh, I am so sorry to hear that. You gave her the best care that you could.
She may have had some kind of seizure or other neurological emergency. So sorry!

 

[Heather67]

We opened her up and found tumors.

 

[lbgreenfield]

Aw, I’m sorry to hear that. Looks like there was nothing more you could do. At least now after doing the necropsy you have an idea of what killed her.