Possible feed toxin intake.

SharW75

Songster
5 Years
Jul 26, 2019
507
1,677
246
Ohio
I have two peahens from two different pens showing the same symptoms. Both are alert and aware, but neither can walk. They roosted on their perches last night, both were 100% fine this morning, and again 100% fine this afternoon. Tonight, when we went to lock them in for the night, I found two hens in this condition. Both are a good weight, both have been dewormed regularly, and neither of them have any abnormal poop. No respiratory issues and nothing in their mouths. Also, both laid an egg this evening. All other birds in both pens are completely fine.

The only thing different that I've done is give them a small handful of oats that I recently bought. It was not prepackaged from a store, and the only thing I can think of is that it had mold, even though it looks and smells completely fine.

Can someone please advise me what to do next? I gave a dose of Baytril to both girls in case it's a bacterial infection, but I don't know what else I can do. If it is a toxin, is there any way to mitigate the effects?

Food has been removed from all pens, and in the morning, we will clean and disinfect them before feeding.

I should also add that both are very strong and fought us hard when we gave them the antibiotics. They just seem uncoordinated.

Editing again...could it be a calcium deficiency? Both birds are laying fairly well right now, but both have eggs with nice, hard shells. And if it was an issue with calcium, it would seem weird that two birds would have the same issue at exactly the same time.
 
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I would love to know what is causing that as well. I have one hen that seemingly can't stand up but is bright and alert, good weight with a good appetite. When I inspected her for being egg bound she fought very hard and can use her legs to kick. I have seen similar hens in the past years, always with a bad ending.
 
What are the odds of two of mine having issues at exactly the same time? It has to be something environmental or food related for them both to have the same symptoms at the same time. I just checked them again--no change. :(

@KsKingBee , did your hen have a sudden onset like mine did? These birds were absolutely fine at least until 3 or 4 pm, which is the last time someone checked on them before putting them in for the night and finding them this way. Both girls laid an egg tonight, as well, so mine definitely aren't egg bound. I can tell you mine are strong, though. I gave them each a dose of Baytril, and they fought and kicked like tigers. They just can't stand.
 
I'm sorry about your peahens. What an interesting read about the layer fatigue in casportpony's link. Hopefully that's what's going on and you can get them back on their feet.

I would be very careful about giving Baytril unless absolutely indicated. Make sure you follow it with plenty of probiotics.
 

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