LisaLovesSilkies
In the Brooder
- May 8, 2023
- 12
- 2
- 16
Hello chicken friends! I have a 5 month old silkie hen that is currently in my chicken hospital (house) that can no longer walk. Background - all my silkies are free range, hatched and raised here, not vaccinated or from a hatchery. My silkie was hatched from one of our Broodies in august. She is the smallest but hangs out with the roosters and is the most motivated scavenger. 2 weeks ago I noticed she had a few weird episodes of ‘freak outs’ where it seemed like she rolled or jumped without cause. Then walked on. I immediately thought neurological but everything became fine again. Today she was out in the run as normal but when I delivered snacks to the coop this evening she waddled over to me like a seal.. her feet were out to the sides like they were broken. I took her inside to chicken hospital and fed her, she’s been eating non stop. She can’t really stand and her feet are sprawled to the sides or sometimes forward. She is extra fluffy. Her first poop was okay and next was diarhea and smelly. She hasn’t really been interested in water, just food, and attitude is still super sweet. I’m a newish chicken owner (2 years) and am wondering what this could be.. mareks? All of our chickens are hatched in our yard, so I’m not sure how that could be? I have some first aid stuff like tylosin, amoxicillin, ivermectin, etc but not sure what this is or what to give her. I’ve been feeding her eggs, seeds, vitamins. Which is a near daily routine anyways for the flock .. there are no mites, she hasn’t been mated, she molted a bit on her head last month, and her environment is pleasant. She hasn’t laid eggs yet that I know of. Her feet and fur are pristine, no signs of injury.. please help!