She was fine, then one day wouldn't stand

[citychickengirls]

Last Monday I checked on our hen who we've had in a dog cage in the garage for a few weeks while we build her a new pen. We give her daily outings in the yard. She's been doing great since recovering from a hard molt a couple of months ago. What I found was her awkwardly crammed against the cage, one wing out. I up-righted her, checked her out and she didn't complain. She has been laying on her side for 5 days now. She can't move anything but her head. For the first couple of days she would eat and drink if it was put in front of her, but for the last several days we are feeding her with a syringe.

She is an American game hen -- about 16 months old. Her head also has tremors at times. Tonight she is mildly mouth breathing. We have moved her into the house for the last few days, under a lamp.

I've read all the related posts I could find. It sounds like since she's still eating and drinking that I should just hang in there with her, but I was starting to wonder how long this can go on if she doesn't turn the corner.

We've been giving her cat food and nutri-cal in the syringe. She has refused water for the last 2 days. Any other suggestions?

Thank you.

 

[beautifulbirds]

Cat food ain't gonna do it. It doesn't have the right nutrition. Liquified greens and a bit of tuna in a blender would be better for her. Also, steep 10 cloves of garlic in boiling hot water, when cool take an eye dropper and squirt into her mouth, make sure she swallows, do twice more. Dose morning and night for 3x days.
For absolute maximum nutrition you could find someone who can supply you with FRESH WHEATGRASS JUICE and give her three squirts of that in the morning, midday and at night. Dose 7x days in between feeding her with the syringe.
Good luck.
BB.

 

[citychickengirls]

thanks! I'll get on the improved diet now.

 

[CarlaRiggs]

This is odd, and I'm sorry your hen's so sick. I'm thinking that if things have gone on this long, I doubt that she'll get well. I think the feeding may be prolonging things. And it must be a huge headache for you, especially at this time of year.
With tremors and now breathing through her mouth, she sounds really sick. If you have the nerve, you may want to consider putting her out of her misery. Or simply keep her warm and quiet as you've been doing and let Nature take its course.

Carla

 

[citychickengirls]

does anyone have an idea about what could have caused her to just crash in one day like this? She even laid an egg on Tuesday while she could only lay on her side. She's not malnourished. Her comb is bright red. Like I say in the post title...one day she was fine, the next day seemingly paralyzed. What could cause this??

 

[citychickengirls]

I gave her tuna, greens, and garlic water. She's in my lap. Still with labored breathing. Come on little hen...rally for me.

 

[CarlaRiggs]

Well, I for one haven't the foggiest!

However, it doesn't seem that unusual with chickens. sigh I'd keep an eye out for the other chickens, though, just in case something is contagious.
This almost sounds as if it's neurological.

Carla

 

[citychickengirls]

yes - neurological is what I've been thinking too. Can hens have epilepsy?

 

[CarlaRiggs]

Well, I suppose they could. Especially if there's a type of small tumor pressing on a nerve somewhere. But epileptics eat; your hen is not. Epileptics will recover and life is normal for a while. Your girl just sounds as if she's getting worse and worse. Her breathing is labored, so she's not getting enough oxygen.
It sounds as if her body is shutting down.
I'm really sorry. It's hard when this happens, isn't it?
Just try to keep her warm, quiet and as comfortable as possible.

Carla

 

[citychickengirls]

I'm going to hang in there with her. She's been sick before (different symptoms) and her sister was once on death's door and then recovered. I can't give up yet. I've seen the miracles occur. But I am going to go to sleep now....