Sick Silkie! Need help ASAP

[terrabeev]

My silkie became lethargic yesterday, she responds with some energy(clucking/wing flapping) when trying to feed and give her water but otherwise in a very docile state with little response to external stimulus. Sometimes ends up with her head laying out awkwardly on the floor, also seems resistant to food and water which is being hand fed. Not sure if its worth mentioning but about a couple months ago had another chicken die, having some similar features currently being seen but also seeming more severe with other symptoms... Is this a sick chicken? Is she dying? Any tips? No visual symptoms such as cuts/abrasions/ mites/ runny nose/ etc...

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Welcome to BYC.

How old is she?

Can you take her to a vet?

Try to keep her hydrated, add some poultry vitamins to her water. Once she is hydrated offer some wet feed and extra protein like egg, tuna, mackerel or meat.

 

[terrabeev]

Thank you for responding, I am very new to this and am apparently just realizing that an animal like a chicken is far harder to manage than your average domesticated animal. She is around 6 months old, also getting worse as of today... tried eggs and wet food, also water with apple cider vinegar, have her in the bath tub with food and water and heat lamp but seemingly going downhill, live in a small town with very little for nearby vets but will try to find someone if its all I can do... She's part of a pair of silkies that always stay with each other, if theres any advice would love to hear it! Again no physical symptons, although she does do a strange pecking, almost smacking upper and lower parts of beak together fairly consistently, was eating or trying to eat earlier but doesn't seem very able to function in that area on her own at this point...again lethargic and seemingly going downhill although hopefully not and curable? thanks for any help, very stressful situation

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Can you post a photo or video of her actions?
How long have you had her - how new to your property is she?
Is she laying down - are her legs splayed out ?
Is her crop empty, full, squishy, doughy, any smelly breath?
What does her poop look like?
Was she vaccinated for Marek's?

It is so hard to determine what it could be.

A few things that come to mind - Coccidiosis, Marek's or Vitamin Deficiency.

If she is fairly new to your property, Cocci would be my first thought. Treatment is with Corid which can be found at your local feed store.

Since she is not eating/drinking you will need to syringe /tube feed her.

Let us know how she is doing.

 

[terrabeev]

I will work on a video, she has her head down most of the time, and her legs are splayed out. I have been giving her apple cider vinegar water and medicated mash with an egg mixed into it and moistened
As well as some little bits of fish for protein. Her poop is liquidy and white
She has not had any vaccinations but has been with us since was was a chick and is about 6 months old.
Does her legs being splayed out mean anything in particular? We will go look for the things you mentioned. Thank you for your responses

 

[terrabeev]

Oh and her crop appears to be empty because I can't even feel it

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I will work on a video, she has her head down most of the time, and her legs are splayed out. I have been giving her apple cider vinegar water and medicated mash with an egg mixed into it and moistened
As well as some little bits of fish for protein. Her poop is liquidy and white
She has not had any vaccinations but has been with us since was was a chick and is about 6 months old.
Does her legs being splayed out mean anything in particular? We will go look for the things you mentioned. Thank you for your responses

It's possible that she may have something like Marek's. Especially since you had another one pass not long ago with similar symptoms(?)
Testing would be the only way to know for sure.

Provide her with poultry vitamins and encourage her to drink and eat if possible.

https://poultrykeeper.com/blog/diseases-common-to-silkies/

MAREKS
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq
http://www.thepoultrysite.com/diseaseinfo/90/mareks-disease/
https://www.beautyofbirds.com/mareksdisease.html

MAREK'S VIDEO

 

[terrabeev]

I have looked at the info on Mareks and that very much seems to be the problem though vaccinating now that she is already sick is not recommended so I guess I will continue with vitamins and as much food and water as I am able to get into her. I really appreciate the help. It's comforting to have the help of knowledgable people and to finally understand what is going on with her.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I have looked at the info on Mareks and that very much seems to be the problem though vaccinating now that she is already sick is not recommended so I guess I will continue with vitamins and as much food and water as I am able to get into her. I really appreciate the help. It's comforting to have the help of knowledgable people and to finally understand what is going on with her.

I'm sorry.
Try to give her the best supportive care that you can. Sometimes they can recover, just keep in mind that the illness is contagious and can be transmitted.
The links I gave you have very good information. Also search here on BYC about keeping a flock with Marek's. Testing is the only way to know for sure what you are dealing with.

Vaccination prevents the formation of tumors, but does not prevent infection by the virus. The vaccine is normally given to day old chicks.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps044