Silkie doesn't seem right!

[Mcranton]

I don't know what to try. She doesn't have any energy and is always laying down sleeping. Head bobs and she closes her eyes when you pick her up. Should I give her poly visol? What can I check? The Roo is watching over her. It has gotten worse this week. She was shaking her head a lot so I dusted for mites. Both were doing this so both got dusted. She doesn't react to much! Help.

 

[scratch'n'peck]

I'm sorry your poor Silkie hen is not doing well. Have you noticed how well she is eating and drinking? I can't really tell from the description what her head bobbing is like. But with Silkies I always consider Wry neck or Crook neck, because the breed is susceptible. Here is a link with some info for you to see if the symptoms match: http://www.browneggblueegg.com/Article/Crookneck/Crookneck.html

 

[Mcranton]

Doesn't seem very similar in symptoms. She is eating and drinking OK. I just watched them eat this morning. She sits likes she is lurched all the time with her head nestled and asleep. Her head bobs slowly as if someone is falling asleep. When it starts to dip to the side she shuts her eyes. Even when she is tilting her head to look up at you her eye will close.

I had a thought while watching them. She is my only hen. Could the Roo be too much for her all day with him by herself. She is much younger than him and it appears he has pull out a lot of her neck feathers.

 

[scratch'n'peck]

I'm glad she is eating and drinking at least. The roo alone would not cause these symptoms. If he seems to be bothering her while she is weak, you could put some sort of barrier between them where they can see each other but he cant touch her. But if he is not bothering her that may not be necessary. Make sure to keep her warm in her weakened state. The mid seventies should be fine, so you could just add a heat lamp in the corner if needed. My guess is that she has a respiratory infection, which is more serious than just a cold for a human. If you have a vet who sees birds, that would be helpful for diagnosis. I am lucky that I have an avian vet nearby. Respiratory infections in chickens are usually treated with antibiotics. This link has treatment guidelines including respiratory infection if you don't have a vet available: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/517234/medical-treatments-recommended-by-bycers#post_6580204 People usually get the antibiotics listed at a farm supply store.

 

[Julianna123]

For a quick homemade treatment, I would try a teaspoon of sugar per 1 cup. It might energize her some!

 

[scratch'n'peck]

For a quick homemade treatment, I would try a teaspoon of sugar per 1 cup. It might energize her some!

That could be a little "pick-me-up"

I forgot to say the polyvisol with out iron (as you mentioned above) or avian vitamins would not hurt either.

 

[Mcranton]

Update. I called a vet and they said it is probably gape worm and told me to get wormer safeguard and give a pea size amount to both her and the roo. I also picked up some water soluble antibiotics. No one has the injectable antibiotics! She seems to be not shaking her head as much. Gets up for sunflower seeds. Is unsteady on her feet but gets around good. Still very sleepy. Tires easily.

 

[scratch'n'peck]

Update. I called a vet and they said it is probably gape worm and told me to get wormer safeguard and give a pea size amount to both her and the roo. I also picked up some water soluble antibiotics. No one has the injectable antibiotics! She seems to be not shaking her head as much. Gets up for sunflower seeds. Is unsteady on her feet but gets around good. Still very sleepy. Tires easily.

Safegaurd is low risk treatment to try, so I hope it helps.

 

[Mcranton]

Should it have made a differeo in 24 hrs? I just checked on her and she is shaking head and stretching gaping her neck and mouth again. Still eating but I can't catch her drinking. Poop is small but normal. I saw her trying to reach her bum and wiggling her tail like something was bothering her back there also. Can I give another dose of wormer this early?

 

[scratch'n'peck]

I did a search for safeguard dosing and came across this thread that you might find helpful: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/912112/gape-worm