Sideways chicken

[brynjim2012]

So, once again, we have an issue w/ our chickens. We lost one to what I think was Mareks a couple months ago. I quarantined her A month or so ago, one of our now 6 1/2 month old RIR would not get up on the roost w/ the other girls. She would lay on the ground at night. I was a little concerned, but got over that when I saw no other issues. Although eventually she went to roosting again, but one of her eyes looked like it was squinting. There was no evidence of an injury or infection. She was eating and drinking normal and interacting w/ the other girls. As of this morning, however, her head is cocked to the side and it looks like her tail is sideways too. Her aim at the feeder is off, so I tried to feed her by hand, but her aim is off there as well. She goes in for the food sideways and just knocks it off my hand. It is almost like she is having trouble seeing and even opening her mouth. I am perplexed. They get DE in their food, they get oyster shell as well as yogurt, apples, asian pears and oats for treats. Probiotics in their water as well. I am feeling very discouraged. This will be the 2nd out of 8 pullets that have something wrong. I feel there must be something I'm doing wrong. My husband is unwilling to go to a vet, so I must try to figure out a home remedy. I am appealing to your collective wisdom re: this. Please HELP!

 

[Rachel'sFlock]

Oh friend!

I am so sorry to hear you are having this trouble!
I'm sorry I don't have any sort of info for you, but these folks will know something that will help you.
Just because you aren't able to take her to the vet, doesn't mean you can't call a vet who deals with chickens and ask them if they have ever heard of such a thing, and if she is potentially contagious.
Check the BYC illness section and scan for sideways-ness, blindness, mouth things, etc. People are always posting descriptions of their scenarios.
Hoping you can help your poor hen feel better.

 

[brynjim2012]

Thank you for this. i have been looking, but will continue.

 

[brynjim2012]

I was hoping others would chime in. I have been researching crooked neck, twisted neck, swollen eye, closed eye, wry neck, etc. The only real consistency I see is vitamin deficiency, so I today I purchased Poly-vi-sol w/out iron and I have given her 2 doses of that. Here is what is happening so far. I am now feeding her scrambled egg and heated oat meal, putting it in a little bowl, she can't seem to hold her head still enough to be hand fed or eat from my hand. Her one eye is swollen shut, but the other one seems to work just fine. She is willing to eat, but can't seem to aim and open her mouth consistently to get the food in there. She is now unsteady on her feet and will fall over, even doing somersaults and flopping around until she can get her balance. I can't say anything about her fecal matter. There are 7 pullets and they share a collective living space in which to deficate. But, all the feces I have seen has looked 'normal'.
It is just breaking my heart to see. I feel like such a bad "mother" after losing one chicken earlier this summer from what I think was Mareks. I really don't want to lose another. My husband is not willing for me to go to extraordinary measures after watching me exhaust myself during the decline of our first sick chicken, Barbara. I know it's not an exact science, but I just wish there were definitive answers for these situations.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[daoustaj]

Tractor supply sells an antibiotic for chickens. You could just try that, maybe some type of infection or swelling throwing her vision or balance off. I think the antibiotics are 8 or 10$ maybe chickens can get ear infections. . . (just an odd thought, newbie here)

 

[PrincessKristin]

I sure hope your lil ' lady feels better soon. Wish I knew what it was and the cure.

 

[brynjim2012]

Thank you for that info. Are the antibiotics injections or oral? Do you know if I can do the antibiotic as well as the Poly-vi-sol?

 

[brynjim2012]

I sure hope your lil ' lady feels better soon.

Wish I knew what it was and the cure.

Thank you for your kind support. She is still walking around, trying to 'hang' w/ her friends. Her balance is off, I'm sure because she can't see out of one eye. Bless her heart, she is a trooper.

 

[daoustaj]

I think you put it in her water? The antibiotics. I dont see why you couldnt use the vitamins with it, maybe look up the type and see if there aere interactions, but food has vitamins in it.

 

[Rachel'sFlock]

How are things with the Sideways Chicken?
Have been keeping you lot in my thoughts.