Strange illness in one of my hens

[newchickenmommy]

Something is really wrong with one of my hens. She is a full grown Cuckoo Maran. I actually found her a year ago, and she was full grown then but I'm not sure about her age. At least 1 1/2 - 2 years old I would say.

First, the other hens started picking on her so bad I had to separate her from them. They won't let her in the coop at night without picking at her so i have another coop in the garage for her to sleep in at night. Then during the day she goes back into the population and she doesn't seem to get picked on any longer.

Second, she hasn't laid an egg in a few months.

Third, A couple weeks ago I noticed she was 'missing' what she was pecking at. One of her eyes looks really funny, and I think she may be blind in one eye. The pupil is really small and gray looking, but not like cataracts. I put my finger up to it and she didn't even flinch. All in all, I think she would be fine if that's all that it is, but I can't understand why she is going blind. I never saw any injury to her eye and she has been a healthy hen until a few months ago.

She is not interested in normal chicken activities, and pretty much just sits in the run next to the water or food and doesn't venture out much. She seems to be perking up a little bit today though.

Then I was watching her drink water today and she does something really weird. After she takes a drink she tips her head all the way to her back to swallow the water! Her head actually touches her wing feathers on her back.

Now, to make matters worse, the poor thing is molting. She just can't win.

What could be making her go blind, stop laying, stop acting chickeny, and what is going on when she drinks? Has anyone experienced anything like this?

Thanks for your help.

S

 

[dawg53]

You're right, she has a bevy of problems...poor girl. As far as her not acting like a chicken should,this could be almost anything but I highly suspect worms. You may not see any in her poop unless she has an infestation. Use wazine17 first; after about a day or so, that should perk her up. Throw away eggs for 2 weeks. Then use ivermectin pour on or safeguard to kill any leftover worms or different type worms in her body. Did you inspect her for lice/mites? If she's going blind in one eye,she could've accidently scratched it, poked herself with a sharp object or might have eyeworm. I'd suggest looking up eyeworm on here in the "search" and find out what to look for and how to treat eyeworm if she possibly has it. Throwing her neck back- could she have gapeworm? As some suggest, you can open her mouth and look down her throat and possibly see the gapeworm(s). Ivermectin will kill gapeworm. I'd also check and see if she has an obstruction in her throat first though. I hope this helps and good luck.