Sick Hen (Inner Ear Infection vs. Mareks)

[nicks8400]

We have had one of our Hens acting different lately. On the ground she is normal as can be, walks fine. But on tight turns or hoping up on anything (ramp, roosts, etc) she looks like she's "Drunk"... At night they roost on top of the chicken coop and last week I noticed her while getting into position was not very well coordinated and loosing her balance.

Its worsened and now has trouble getting up and down the ramp of the Chicken Coop.

I ended up bringing her to the Vet and they said she isn't displaying textbook Marek's and are treating her for a possible inner ear infection....

Anyone experience this, that turned out to NOT be Marek's? As mentioned above, the Vet said she isn't showing textbook Marek's but we'll see if it worsens (hopefully not)

Any pointers...Any recommendations...Any homeopathic or proscribed Meds - are greatly appreciated!

 

[azygous]

Imbalance can be from anything, including exposure to petroleum distillates. (Insecticides and machine fluids) In addition to the antibiotic, you can try giving her vitamin E oil capsule once a day plus some vitamin B complex and see if that improves her balance.

 

[nicks8400]

Imbalance can be from anything, including exposure to petroleum distillates. (Insecticides and machine fluids) In addition to the antibiotic, you can try giving her vitamin E oil capsule once a day plus some vitamin B complex and see if that improves her balance.

Thanks for your feedback! Can you advise on dosage? Individually to the chicken, or how would you recommend feeding? She is currently on an antibiotic that I feed to here directly at night - and I could add this to her nightly

 

[azygous]

Just pop the vitamins right into her beak.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

We have had one of our Hens acting different lately.

Hi there, welcome to BYC!

How old is she? What is fed on a regular basis including treats and supplements?

Is she actively eating and drinking? Can you check her crop at roost time and again in the morning before she eats to make sure it's emptying properly? Have you seen any dropping? How large is your flock? Ever had a fecal float done to check parasite load? Any red skin or other signs of external parasites?

How long have you had this hen? Any recent additions? Where did she come from and do you know if she was vaccinated for anything?

Adding your general location to your profile can help folks make the best suggestions possible at a glance.

 

[nicks8400]

Hi there, welcome to BYC!

How old is she? 18 Months or so

What is fed on a regular basis including treats and supplements?
Organic Lay Pellets (Modesto Feed)
Organic Scratch - tossed out daily (small amount, 1 cup or so in the run)
Vegetables (greens/spinach, carrots, berries, tomatoes, etc)

Is she actively eating and drinking?
Yes - eating and drinking normal

Can you check her crop at roost time and again in the morning before she eats to make sure it's emptying properly?
Looks normal

Have you seen any dropping?
Droppings, poop? All appear to be normal

How large is your flock?
4 Hens, they have a 8’x24’x10’ run with a coop and get let out in the backyard daily to free range in the yard

Ever had a fecal float done to check parasite load?
No - is that done thru a vet?

Any red skin or other signs of external parasites?
No

How long have you had this hen?
Since she was a chick, about 18 Months

Any recent additions?
Alert as ever, just has trouble with balance - she roams with the 3 other hens and walks normal - just on tight turns and any up and down she seems to have trouble

Where did she come from and do you know if she was vaccinated for anything?
Local feed store - I will talk to feed store on Friday and see what they say

Adding your general location to your profile can help folks make the best suggestions possible at a glance.
Updated! Thanks - I’m in Aptos, CA

 

[nicks8400]

How old is she? 18 Months or so

What is fed on a regular basis including treats and supplements?
Organic Lay Pellets (Modesto Feed)
Organic Scratch - tossed out daily (small amount, 1 cup or so in the run)
Vegetables (greens/spinach, carrots, berries, tomatoes, etc)

Is she actively eating and drinking?
Yes - eating and drinking normal

Can you check her crop at roost time and again in the morning before she eats to make sure it's emptying properly?
Looks normal

Have you seen any dropping?
Droppings, poop? All appear to be normal

How large is your flock?
4 Hens, they have a 8’x24’x10’ run with a coop and get let out in the backyard daily to free range in the yard

Ever had a fecal float done to check parasite load?
No - is that done thru a vet?

Any red skin or other signs of external parasites?
No

How long have you had this hen?
Since she was a chick, about 18 Months

Any recent additions?
Alert as ever, just has trouble with balance - she roams with the 3 other hens and walks normal - just on tight turns and any up and down she seems to have trouble

Where did she come from and do you know if she was vaccinated for anything?
Local feed store - I will talk to feed store on Friday and see what they say

Adding your general location to your profile can help folks make the best suggestions possible at a glance.
Updated! Thanks - I’m in Aptos, CA

 

[EggSighted4Life]

What is fed on a regular basis including treats and supplements?
Organic Lay Pellets (Modesto Feed)
Organic Scratch - tossed out daily (small amount, 1 cup or so in the run)
Vegetables (greens/spinach, carrots, berries, tomatoes, etc)

4 Hens

Okay, Age doesn't fit with Marek's *if* this is just barely happening for the first time. Most feed store chicks are not vaccinated. Honestly, vaccinated birds not welcome here to hide the disease since it just stops symptoms from developing IF they do get it.

STOP or lay off the scratch very seriously... it is usually low in protein (often 7%), vitamins, minerals, and amino acids and a cup is WAY to much for 4 hens to get daily. Some scratch mixes are high in fatty seeds. Could even be seeing fatty liver issues (most often seen in Orpington type, predisposed genetically AND fed excess treats). What breeds are your gals?

At 18 months old... they *should* be getting ready to have a molt. What breeds have ya got? I would consider switching to Purina flock raiser... or a grower with 18-20% protein (if you can find an organic one you like) and offer oyster shell on the side for active layers... as the excess calcium of "layer" is not needed when not laying and the added protein and amino acids will help the birds have a less harsh molt and recover more quickly in my experience. I actually never use layer since discovering the difference.

Ever had a fecal float done to check parasite load?
No - is that done thru a vet?

Yes, it can be done at a vet, by mail, or even with your own microscope if you're so inclined. When taking a sample to the vet... I do a "group" sample to get an overall look at the flock.

Please note that entering molt can cause all kinds of undesirable changes in some birds... withdrawal, discomfort, avoidance of pecking order, a general challenge to the immune system, etc. It can be a hard time for them. Have you seen any eggs from her recently?

Are you able to upload a video to youtube or vimeo and post a link here so we might see what you are? Thanks for all the answers!

Hopefully you are just an extra cautious and observant guardian!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

On the ground she is normal as can be, walks fine. But on tight turns or hoping up on anything (ramp, roosts, etc) she looks like she's "Drunk"... At night they roost on top of the chicken coop and last week I noticed her while getting into position was not very well coordinated and loosing her balance.

Its worsened and now has trouble getting up and down the ramp of the Chicken Coop.

I ended up bringing her to the Vet and they said she isn't displaying textbook Marek's and are treating her for a possible inner ear infection....

18 Months

Alert as ever, just has trouble with balance - she roams with the 3 other hens and walks normal - just on tight turns and any up and down she seems to have trouble

Can you take a video of her actions? Upload it to youtube and provide a link.

She's normal walking, but tight turns/hopping up on something she's seems out of balance. Have you looked at the bottom of her feet? Any bruises, scabs, overgrown nails?

What breed is she? What do her eyes look like - photos of the eyes if you can please.

She's 18mo - is she molting?

I agree, I would give her some B vitamins - for an adult chicken, I would give 1/2 tablet daily for no more than a week. I would also add vitamin E, 400IU daily for no more than a week.

Look inside her ears - are they free of debris, pus/infection, mites/lice?

Check/feel her crop first thing in the morning before she eats/drinks -the crop should be empty.

 

[nicks8400]

Can you take a video of her actions? Upload it to youtube and provide a link.

She's normal walking, but tight turns/hopping up on something she's seems out of balance. Have you looked at the bottom of her feet? Any bruises, scabs, overgrown nails?

What breed is she? What do her eyes look like - photos of the eyes if you can please.

She's 18mo - is she molting?

I agree, I would give her some B vitamins - for an adult chicken, I would give 1/2 tablet daily for no more than a week. I would also add vitamin E, 400IU daily for no more than a week.

Look inside her ears - are they free of debris, pus/infection, mites/lice?

Check/feel her crop first thing in the morning before she eats/drinks -the crop should be empty.

Can you take a video of her actions? Upload it to youtube and provide a link.
Links here - I can get some videos today of specific movements, etc

She's normal walking, but tight turns/hopping up on something she's seems out of balance. Have you looked at the bottom of her feet? Any bruises, scabs, overgrown nails?
Nothing wrong with her toes, nails, scabs, bruises - nothing abnormally large/small, or indifferent

What breed is she? What do her eyes look like - photos of the eyes if you can please.
All 4 are ameraucana's

She's 18mo - is she molting?
3 out of the 4 just finished their first Molting - and she was 1 of them - She still has some feathers coming in on her head area

I agree, I would give her some B vitamins - for an adult chicken, I would give 1/2 tablet daily for no more than a week. I would also add vitamin E, 400IU daily for no more than a week.
I will start on that today, I have some coming in the mail today - thank you for the dosage tips

Look inside her ears - are they free of debris, pus/infection, mites/lice?
I am not totally sure how I look in her ears - I snapped a few pics the other day - the Vet was treating her for an Inner Ear Infection, as she was leaning towards that as first step of treatment - although she checked her out and said overall she looked great.

Check/feel her crop first thing in the morning before she eats/drinks -the crop should be empty.
I guess I misunderstood your "Crop" comment on your prior message - not sure how to check her crop, but I will look at how to - and will document for a few days