sick Australorp, please help.

[Kiti008]

Recently one of my 2 year old Australorp hens has been acting strange. She seemed tired and kept secluding herself from the flock to rest in the corner, and one of her eyes seemed to be bothering her. I didn't think much of it because she had been known to be shy, and it has been so hot lately that everyone has been laying around. When I came back to check on her eye she seemed fine. Now she seems to have more noticeable symptoms, indicating what might be an illness. She is lethargic and doesn't show interest in food or water, her tail and wings are drooping, she is very unbalanced and keeps falling over, she can't seem to find her way around, almost as if she can't see, and every couple of minutes she will look up so far she falls over. It seems to me as though she is sick and possibly blind. I have done some research on wry neck, vitamin deficiencies and illnesses that might have similar symptoms but can't find anything. The only one who seems to be affected is the one Australorp, the strangest part is that we used to have two Australorp hens, but her sister died a while back to something very similar to this which also seemed only to affect her.

Thank you for taking the time to read my predicament.
If anyone has any ideas as to what this is, or anything that might help her or the flock I would greatly appreciate it!

 

[The Coop Crew]

You say she’s falling over? Have you noticed any paralysis? Like legs or wings that aren’t moving?

 

[Eggcessive]

Can you get a picture of both eyes? Is she laying eggs? Have you seen any shell-less or unusual eggs? Can you get her drinking some water with electrolytes or sugar, and hold it up to her beak? Pedialyte or Gatorade is acceptable. If she is having trouble seeing or not getting around, she could be dehydrated in the heat. Once she drinks well, offer some scrambled egg and moistened chicken feed. Has there been any roosters or hens bullying or keeping them from food or water? Do you have food and water in several areas? Mareks could be possible, but hopefully, it is something treatable.

 

[Kiti008]

she seems to be moving her wings and legs, she just seems to be so disoriented and week she can get around. I can get pictures but it'll take me a min. I don't think she is laying, none of the hens have been laying much. all the eggs I've seen have been good. I have one big waterer in the middle of the run and a small kids pool that the two ducks swim in, that the girls drink out of sometimes. the rooster is a silkie and he doesn't bully, but I wouldn't be surprised if the hens were. I haven't seen them bully her directly, but I've seen them bully the little silkie girls. Also, thanks for the advice, I'll bring her in the house and see if I can get her to drink some electrolyte water.

 

[Kiti008]

here are some pictures. I brought her in the house and have been checking on her frequently. I got her to drink a little of the medicated water. Just hoping she'll start feeling better.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Photos of her poop?

When was her last egg?

What is medicated water?

I'd be inclined to give her Extra Calcium for a few days. 1 Calcium Citrate+D3 tablet once daily.

Work on hydration and see if she will eat. Check to make sure her crop is emptying overnight and look her over for lice/mites.

 

[Kiti008]

here I hope this picture helps. I don't know for certain when her last egg was. we haven't been getting many eggs lately, which I had just assumed was because the hens were stressed out due to lack of space. Last month our coop was attacked by a hawk and since then I haven't been letting them out into the big run as often, and that's about when they had stopped laying as much. I mixed something called "Flock Fixer" into her water it says it has prebiotics, probiotics electrolytes and vitamins. that's what I meant when I said medicated water. Thanks for the advice, I'll look into the calcium thing and do a more thorough check for lice and mites.

 

[Kiti008]

You say she’s falling over? Have you noticed any paralysis? Like legs or wings that aren’t moving?

I didn't think so at the time, but now that seems to be exactly what's happening. I have been monitoring her, making sure she is eating and drinking. Just now though when I went out, she wasn't putting any weight on one of her legs. She has had the same symptoms as before all week, except for she seemed to be perking up a bit. Now all of a sudden, she is limping so bad sometimes she just crawls

did you have any ideas as to what it might be? I'm thinking its Mareks. If so, is there anything I can do to help her or the flock?

 

[The Coop Crew]

I didn't think so at the time, but now that seems to be exactly what's happening. I have been monitoring her, making sure she is eating and drinking. Just now though when I went out, she wasn't putting any weight on one of her legs. She has had the same symptoms as before all week, except for she seemed to be perking up a bit. Now all of a sudden, she is limping so bad sometimes she just crawls

did you have any ideas as to what it might be? I'm thinking its Mareks. If so, is there anything I can do to help her or the flock?

Mareks is also what I was thinking. But I am no expert by any means. I found this article which has a TON of information.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq.66077/

 

[Kiti008]

Thank you so much! You're right, there IS a ton of helpful info there. sadly, I'm almost positive that's what it is, and I've never had my flock vaccinated. All the signs/symptoms match all the things I have been noticing. I think the most I can do now is give the flock as much help as I can and try to keep them healthy. I just wonder if it wouldn't be kinder to the poor hen to cull her.