Randomly Sick Chicken? Please Help

[Wyorp Rock]

So, an update from a day of observing Angel. So, after taking the brace off, she stopped rolling onto her back as often. However, I have observed that she does not have a twisted neck. Though, I found the reason that she ends up on her back is because of when she tries to walk. She pushes up to try to stand, but due to what I can only assume is weak legs, she ends up falling onto her back and not being able to flip back over. She lays with her legs straight out behind her or straight in front of her. I built her a sling and put her in it, but she can't walk on her own.

Poor little thing. A sling is a very good idea, but I would still get her on vitamins to see if those help.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

And if no improvements are seen in a week or two, than I would be back to thinking about Mareks or even botulism.

 

[Hihamburger]

Poor little thing. A sling is a very good idea, but I would still get her on vitamins to see if those help.

And if no improvements are seen in a week or two, than I would be back to thinking about Mareks or even botulism.

Well, we'll keep her on the vitamins, and in a week, I'll let you know if anything has changed. I hope to see her improving.. I really want her to get better.

 

[Hihamburger]

Update:

My sister says she has stopped drinking and when Angel moved, my sister noticed a crackling sound. She is unsure where it came from, only that it was not her breathing. I asked her to check, she said it is definitely not caused by breathing. I fear something is broken. I thought she was starting to improve, because despite still not being able to walk, she stopped flipping over. But now that she apparently crackles when she moves. I can't figure it out. Am I right to fear something is broken?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

It's hard to know if the sound you hear is something broken or not.

Sometimes you may hear a crackling during breathing if there is a respiratory illness or something wrong with the air sacs.

I would take a good listen to her so you can nail down whether she does it when she breaths or only if she walks.

 

[Hihamburger]

@Wyorp Rock

I listened this morning to the noise myself, and it is indeed a crackling noise. But is not originated in moving or in breathing. When listening, it almost sounds as if it is coming from her vent?? This is strange, but don't know how to react.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

@Wyorp Rock
I listened this morning to the noise myself, and it is indeed a crackling noise. But is not originated in moving or in breathing. When listening, it almost sounds as if it is coming from her vent?? This is strange, but don't know how to react.

If it sounds like it's coming from the vent, the sound is likely coming from one or both abdominal air sacs.
Hopefully the crackling will clear up on it's own in a couple of days. I would continue with the poultry vitamins. If you notice that she starts to have difficulty breathing, develops wheezing/cough, if an air bubble forms under the skin or she has any other respiratory related symptoms, then she may need further treatment.

The following link has a good diagram showing the location of avian air sacs. The video shows how the avian respiratory system works. https://www.petcoach.co/article/respiratory-system-of-birds-anatomy-and-function/

 

[Hihamburger]

@Wyorp Rock

Thank you so much, you have been very helpful! I wish I could appropriately express my gratitude for you. We are still continuing vitamins, and I'm sorry if it seems I have too many questions. I just want our chickie to get better.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

@Wyorp Rock

Thank you so much, you have been very helpful! I wish I could appropriately express my gratitude for you. We are still continuing vitamins, and I'm sorry if it seems I have too many questions. I just want our chickie to get better.

YVW

No worries about asking questions! We are all here to help each other, learn something new and give each other support.

I hope she gets better. Please keep us posted on how she's doing.

 

[Hihamburger]

Alright, she has a healthy appetite, but she refuses to drink. We tried to give her applesauce, but she refuses to touch it. I don't want her to dehydrate, but I can't force her to drink. Any tips for me?