Second sick hen

[azygous]

The condition of those feathers must be speculative. Feather quality can be affected by an avian virus, diet, parasites, contact with other chickens, even a close call with a predator.

If you have other clues, you might put this together with them and be able to extrapolate a possible explanation.

 

[ZedikerStation]

The condition of those feathers must be speculative. Feather quality can be affected by an avian virus, diet, parasites, contact with other chickens, even a close call with a predator.

If you have other clues, you might put this together with them and be able to extrapolate a possible explanation.

They are all out free ranging. After her calcium dose and a 5 minute walk, she made a fast walk straight for the nest. She feels good enough to force another out of her spot... good sign, I guess. She stayed in for 20 minutes, now she's back down with the rest... no egg!

 

[ZedikerStation]

** Interesting observation on the one in the sling. I spent some time with her outside today. When taken out of the sling and slowly lowered to the ground, those wings start flapping and legs start kicking. However!! If I put a few pieces of fine grass in my hand and she eats them, the wings and legs stop. Almost like if she is thinking about something else, she's not thinking about the legs..... I'm not sure how plausible this is though. She will lay down normally as long as she has grass to preoccupy her. Once the grass is gone.... back to flopping. She is okay to lay on her side without anything. A couple of times she attempted to right herself, but didn't. She uses those legs in the sling to reposition herself.(she can reach the floor.
Puzzling....
She is still on Doxy, B Complex, and E.

The one that was/is a bit "off" decided to sleep up high tonight, albeit by herself though. Progress....

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Have you looked the one over for lice/mites?

 

[ZedikerStation]

Have you looked the one over for lice/mites?

I did. 1st thing when the first one got sick, then the second one. I checked them all. no signs of anything, at least that I could see.

 

[ZedikerStation]

Have you ever heard of something causing a mental issue, like fear of standing? It's a stretch.

 

[azygous]

Chickens have compulsions, but I haven't seen other mental issues. What could be going on is pain. Chickens prefer not to use a sore limb, will go even so far as to hop around on one leg to avoid more pain by using it. But they will use the sore leg if they need to. My guess is that's what you're seeing with sling-girl.

 

[ZedikerStation]

Update...
The 4th hen that was showing signs (we agreed it looked like egg issue) seems to be okay. Doesn't appear that she is laying. She is staying a bit distant, but I'm attributing that to the revised pecking order with 3 hens now gone. I believe she is the new bottom....

As for sling-girl, she is content to stay in the sling. I try to get her out twice daily to check her and get her to move. She still kicks and flaps when trying to set her on the floor. Last night it appears that after all the flapping, she was laboring to breathe. Beak opening and closing repeatedly. After 5 minutes back in the sling, she's breathing normal. I'm thinking she likes this bed and breakfast.... uggh!

 

[ZedikerStation]

Well, 2 days ago "sling-girl" as @azygous named her, popped herself out of the sling and spent the day knocking over the water and food. I'm not going as far as saying I see much/any improvement, but she doesn't fuss as bad when held on her feet to stand. I guess it is a plus.... What I did notice last night is touching her neck causes her to shake her head rapidly and kick those legs and flap the wings. It is repeatable. Her neck is still quite boney as I don't think she is eating all she should. It also seems like she doesn't want to extend it. After her "physical therapy", (standing while being balanced, she starts that open mouth breathing. Open and closed about every second. I'm wondering if standing is causing something to affect her ability to breathe... Also, what might cause her neck to make her flap. Now that I think about it, that is the only time we get any sound from her. She doesn't respond with sound like she used to.

 

[azygous]

Have we batted around the idea of treating "sling girl" with vitamin E? It sounds as if she has a neurological issue with her neck. Those nerve endings could be inflamed. I would also give her B-complex that has B-1, 2 and 6 in it. These help restore nerve connections.