Star Gazing Success Stories?

[OneLostHen]

Just picked up an ADORABLE little cochin bantam frizzle hen. I was told she star gazes, so it wasn't a surprise to me. But I am finding it interesting to see how she takes in the world around her. Was told she was treated with vit B as a pullet. And as she's aged she doesn't star gaze as bad as she used to. They say anyways.

It's probably the worst kind of day to bring her home as it's super windy and the tarp that covers the run of the roof is flapping. It seems like it's disorienting to her. She eats, scratches and seems in good spirits but also seems almost stuck at times with her head looking up. And when she drinks water- oh boy- that head goes all the way back to her oil glad just about.

Will she settle in fine after a few days? Once routine is established..?
I placed her in the coop and she hasn't come out. She's just standing in there looking at the ceiling now and then. I provided food and drink inside for her which she happily took.

Does anyone have a star gazer in their flock? Is it worth it for me to try to treat her symptoms now as a hen or will it not help?

 

[Debbie292d]

Stargazing is a form of wry neck, so while the B (hopefully complex) they gave her was a good idea, E with some scrambled eggs would help too.

No, it's not too late. I would try them both for a couple of weeks and see if you see improvement. The E is just one of the human gel pills and the easiest way to get her to take it is to open her beak and pop it in. Tearing them apart and mixing with food usually doesn't work as it's nasty.

As far as settling down, you may see any chicken get stressed out over a tarp flapping, so yes, as she gets accustomed to her surroundings, she'll be under less stress.

 

[OneLostHen]

Thank you for the information! I will definitely try it out.

When she's focusing on the floor, she happily scratches the ground and eats. Then gets stuck with her head up for a while.
Im happy to see that she has great spirits tho. Gives me hope that even if I can't get her condition better, she's not miserable.

 

[Debbie292d]

Thank you for the information! I will definitely try it out.

When she's focusing on the floor, she happily scratches the ground and eats. Then gets stuck with her head up for a while.
Im happy to see that she has great spirits tho. Gives me hope that even if I can't get her condition better, she's not miserable.

Very welcome!

The most important thing is to make sure she is getting enough to eat and drink. You might want to try making her a bowl of crumbles or pellets into a mash with water. You could mix the scrambled egg (selenium for the E) in that too. She might dive in better.

 

[OneLostHen]

I got the vit E gel tabs this evening.

How should I go about giving it to her? Put the pill down her mouth? Break open the pill and spread it over a small bit of bread? They are the 400IU dose, if that means anything lol

 

[BoundlessLove]

I would poke a hole in the gel capsule and put it on the scrambled egg or in her mash and feed to her.

 

[OneLostHen]

Thank you! I'll see what works best. She's a bit of a sporadic eater. But maybe delicious scrambled eggs will keep her focus

 

[nuthatched]

Don't forget a third of a tab of B complex a day.

 

[Debbie292d]

I got the vit E gel tabs this evening.

How should I go about giving it to her? Put the pill down her mouth? Break open the pill and spread it over a small bit of bread? They are the 400IU dose, if that means anything lol

The dosage is fine. I already tried the poking them and putting in scrambled eggs and they wouldn't eat it. I took a whiff and I wouldn't either.

One way: Hold her in your left hand like a football. Have the pill in your right hand. With your left hand, gently pull down her wattles, and pop the pill in with your right.

 

[OneLostHen]

The dosage is fine. I already tried the poking them and putting in scrambled eggs and they wouldn't eat it. I took a whiff and I wouldn't either.

One way: Hold her in your left hand like a football. Have the pill in your right hand. With your left hand, gently pull down her wattles, and pop the pill in with your right.

I'll try this way. I like knowing she gets the full dosage.
I'll also offer scrambled eggs, but try putting the pill in her mouth whole. It's not a terribly large pill.

She's such a cute little odd ball, I'm really enjoying her so far.