She was fine, then one day wouldn't stand

[paddy]

Hi there, I'm certainly not as experienced with chickens as most others here, but I've had hens with similar symptoms before and in my case it turned out to be quite simple - worms. At least, I think it was!

My hen hid her discomfort until it became too painful to pretend anymore or she simply had no energy left. So all of a sudden she was refusing to stand and having difficulty breathing. She'd lost interest in food (probably long before I'd noticed), would have occasional head spasms and have drooping or closed eyelids most of the time. She was severely malnourished from not eating - her crop empty and her breast wasted away. Of course it's impossible to tell this without handling her and prodding all the bits that should be plump.

I lost her, after much fruitless research into obscure chicken diseases, and a few weeks later another hen clucked out after showing the same symptoms. When a third started down this track I followed a friend's advice and wormed them. And lo, crisis averted! She recovered and none of my other birds became ill. I can only assume that worms were the problem, as I hadn't been worming my birds! Shame on me. Not a nice way to learn my lesson, but an effective lesson it was.

This might not apply to you, but is at least another thing to check. Good luck!

 

[citychickengirls]

I appreciate the info. I don't think it is worms though.

This morning she is marginally better. She has been waving her tail back and forth as she lays on her side, and she puffed up and moved her wings a little.

She is taking food and water from the syringe and resting.

 

[valmom]

I hate to say it, but it sounds like what our rooster went through earlier this year. He just all of a sudden was staggering one day, then just laid on his side. We took him to the vet, who really didn't give us a diagnosis, but had us hydrating him and gave him a course of antibiotics which didn't help.

Good luck with your girl- I hope she turns the corner.

 

[redhen]

so sorry to hear about your girl!...i hope she pulls through!....

..

 

[ruth]

It sounds to me like she got her wing caught in the cage and then fought to free herself, probably injuring herself in her panic because - you found her with her wing out of cage and her crammed in awkwardly and she had to be uprighted. She may be sore and just needs time to heal or she could have really injured herself.

 

[citychickengirls]

Maybe that is it. I've palpated her everywhere and she doesn't complain like anything hurts her, but who knows if she would if it did.

This morning she is the same. Another day of supportive care and we'll she what happens. It's actually a really good thing that I am not working since last Fri. until after the New Year and all my Christmas preparations are complete. (well today I'm baking, but that works well with being home and caring for Emma too).

 

[CarlaRiggs]

I'm glad to hear that she seems stabilized. I hope the hen continues to rest and get better. It's a wonderful day to bake. It's been cloudy and sprinkling all day here in Pasadena.... I have a daughter coming in from Utah who was hoping for sunshine!

Thanks for the update on your little patient.

Carla

 

[citychickengirls]

Hi Carla -- I'm in Altadena. We're neighbors!

The little hen is just the same. I'm syringe feeding her and holding her/giving her TLC a few of times a day -- she continues to lay on her side, only moving her head around. She otherwise looks good (red comb, bright eyes, good weight, pooping regularly, etc.)

Yesterday she had an outing in the sun. I set her in the grass which she mildly pecked at, and once fluffed herself up and flapped her wings so she *can* move. Her legs remain motionless though. I can bend them up under her, but she seems to prefer to have them straight out behind her.

I keep hoping that one morning I'll go in and find her standing (I've seen these miraculous recoveries before), but so far nothing. I don't know how long is long enough to wait and hope, but I'm not at the end of my abilities to keep caring for her yet.

If any one has new ideas I am open to hearing them. Thanks!

 

[CarlaRiggs]

Thanks so much for posting... I've been wondering you and your hen are doing.

And Merry Christmas! It's a gorgeous day here with the sun out between gentle rains.

Can your girl move her back legs? Does she put stretch them back out if you put them into a different position? You may try putting her into some type of sling. Perhaps she can exercise a bit this way, and feed naturally.

Just a thought ~ could she have gotten into anything with poison? Neighbors spraying fruit trees nearby or something else?

Please keep us updated. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you. The hen's red comb and normal fertilizer

is a good sign.

Carla

 

[beautifulbirds]

Hi there
can you get hold of garlic juice and wheatgrass juice?