seems like neuro please help

[ladyride]

1) What type of bird , age and weight. light brahma, approx 15 weeks
2) What is the behavior, exactly.head twitching , when taking a few steps goes in circles, can't maintain balance
3) How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms?this am since letting out of coop
4) Are other birds exhibiting the same symptoms?no
5) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma.no
6) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation.no
7) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all. was yesterday

this am
8) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc. normal
9) What has been the treatment you have administered so far? don't know what to do isolation with food & water
10 ) What is your intent as far as treatment? For example, do you want to treat completely yourself, or do you need help in stabilizing the bird til you can get to a vet? treat myself if possible
11) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it. It may help.
12) Describe the housing/bedding in use
pine bedding, I have never seen anything like this don't know what to do

 

[chicmom]

Hello, so sorry to hear this! How is your bird acting now? Perhaps it took a blow to the head somehow? How's the environment where they free range? Could the chicken have gotten into something poisonous?

Just giving you some things to think about.......I would just keep the chicken isolated, with food and water as you are already doing, and really keep an eye on it.

Will it eat and drink now?

 

[Avalon1984]

Hey ladyride,

I am not quite sure what it is either but in any case, isolate the bird immediately. See if you can get some electrolytes into him, put him on paper towels so that you can see how the poo looks like and monitor whether he wants to eat or not. Sorry, this is all the advice I can give you at this point

Good luck

 

[ladyride]

They free range around the yard & garden I use no chemicals around my home or yard . she is sitting quietly in th carrier with head bobbing around .

 

[Avalon1984]

Could she have had a stroke or heatstroke? Is her poop looking like spaghetti? That may indicate a fever and related dehydration.

 

[ladyride]

her head has quit twitching still can't maintain balance when walking poo normal [ she just went ] temps yesterday mid 80's not as hot as it has been. last pm she was fine

 

[RhodeIslandRedFan]

Good morning, ladyride. From what I've read, head shaking and circling like you describe can be a symptom of different things, including sinus or respiratory infection. A sinus infection could cause head shaking and difficulty with balance. More serious respiratory infections can also cause head shaking and circling, but there probably would be other symptoms. If you listen closely, do you hear any abnormal respiratory sounds at all, such as wheezing or a clicking sound?
I forgot to add the possibility of ear infection, or something in her ear interfering with balance, a bug perhaps? I've no experience with these symptoms and am just throwing out possibilities...

 

[ladyride]

no resp symtoms she clucks no abnormal sounds that I can hear not that I know exactly where to put stethscope no fluid from nostrils or mouth just regular chickey sounds

 

[RhodeIslandRedFan]

Unfortunately these can be symptoms of Mareks Disease also. See this post. https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=6157773

 

[ladyride]

I know have been reading about that they were from a hatchery that I at this point thought had vaccinated against but also understand that the wild birds in my area could have brought to my birds. That is so scary to me at this point. Cause once it is there there is no getting rid of , if I understand the literature correctly. I currently have 40 birds 23 that are 15 weeeks 15 that are 4 weeks.