sick pullet, eyes closed, lethargic

[Eggcessive]

If her legs are working to stand up and walk, then it's not botulism, but the neck weakness is puzzling. I don't know about the septic tank. Do you still have the Duramycin or have you been giving her that? I don't suppose you were able to locate Corid? Is she still eating , and not having diarrhea?

 

[Muffinburgler]

She is eating! It's hard going but she'll dunk her beak in watery food and eat as much as she can before she gets tired. Her poop looks normal and she kicks her legs and growls and shakes her head when we force her to drink. I'm wondering if it's like this post: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...old-head-up-update-happy-ending-to-this-story It sounds similar to my case.

 

[Eggcessive]

I remember that thread, and we all suspected botulism at the time. I would think that is what you're dealing with, except your pullet can stand and walk. Is she wobbly? Are you familiar with wry neck? Does she have any symptoms of that? Maybe give her the antibiotics, and start the Corid when it comes. I was reading another thread about a chicken that had been drinking out of a leaking septic area similar to yours.

 

[Muffinburgler]

She's a bit wobbly, but I think that's just from the strain of trying to lift her head. She's trying real hard, I can tell it's exhausting her. I googled wry neck but her head isn't doing the tell-tale twist with the chin facing upwards.

I'll definitely get her and the others going on Corid, just in case.

 

[Eggcessive]

Wry neck can be hung down, looking up, or to the side. When hung down they almost are looking between their legs. It's a neck spasm, sometimes from vitamin deficiency (vitamin E, B1, selenium,) sometimes from a disease that causes neorrlogical problems, and sometimes from a head injury. Links for wry neck:
http://oureggbasket.blogspot.com/2013/04/wry-neck-or-crook-neck-understanding-it.html
http://www.browneggblueegg.com/Article/Crookneck/Crookneck.html
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/630079/wry-neck-confused-about-treatment

 

[Muffinburgler]

I'll start treating for wry neck then!

Another thing I thought to add: I have yet to see her sit down, at least all the way. Since this all started she's been more or less standing. I gently pushed her down to see if she wanted to sit and just couldn't, but she stood right back up. Not sure what that means.

 

[Muffinburgler]

Woke up this morning and found her to be almost 100% better! Head held up, pacing to get let out, growling and clucking and kicking her water dish over. Her wings are still a bit droopy but her head is completely normal again. This has been the weirdest sick chicken case for me.

 

[Eggcessive]

Well, I am glad she is better. Hopefully she is on the mend.

 

[ldamants]

How is this sick hen now? What was the outcome?