Sick Hen nodding head

[bugawk]

Hi @bugawk

I'm sorry to hear about your hen.

I agree with @theuglychick 9years old is impressive....even more impressive you still have one alive from a 2002 hatch - we should be getting advice from you!

I don't see any harm in the medicated chick starter if you are going to give it for a short period of time. The Manna Pro usually comes in a small bag, so once you're done with that switch to regular chick starter or a flock raiser.

I agree - with her age, it could just be "old age" that is causing most of her symptoms. Her eyesight may be failing or she may be developing some cataracts (yep, chickens get cataracts like we do). The head movement sounds possibly neurological, but if she is having trouble seeing it could be some sort of compensation - moving the head to see better(?). You can try adding extra poultry vitamins that contain Vitamin E and A to see if those make a difference. Check her over for lice/mites as suggested - a Permethrin based poultry dust or spray is good. You may want to look at her ears to make sure there's no mites, infection or discharge - this can make a chicken off balance and have funny head movement too.

Since you separated her and she is now eating (She can easily get to food/water)- I suspect she may have had a bit of trouble getting to or finding the food/water - this would be another reason to suspect vision problems.

I hope she starts to improve now that she is getting the food/water. Age, heat and not eating/drinking well enough may have just overwhelmed her.

Keep us posted.

Yes it is a small bag. I never thought of checking her ears! She does act dizzy. I wonder what it would look like if she had bugs there--maybe really dirty? Oh and she has been such a joy over the years. She walks up and talks to us, then gently pecks our jeans below the knees, like she's showing affection by checking for bugs. The grandchildren are coming on the 25th, I so hope she will be ok by then. Thank you for the idea to chk ears!

 

[theuglychick]

She sounds like a true joy. I love that she's so well loved and appreciated. I'd love to see pics of her if you ever get the chance to post some!

I put enough DE to just coat all of the pellets. I actually came about the idea when I had bought a bag of feed with bugs in it (meal moths) some years ago. I mixed the DE in the feed in a large plastic bin and it took care of the bugs and have just been doing it ever since. I pour the bag of feed in the bin then I add about 2-3 cups of DE and put the lid on and have my husband help me shake it. Then I feed the girls as normal.