There is something wrong with my favorite little hen!

[daniel-delarosa]

I have a little runt hen that makes me hold her like a baby everyday when I feed. When I went out today, she was sitting on the ground. When she saw me, she got up and tried to walk over to me. She was kinda staggering like she was drunk or something and her neck wasnt extended, it was kinda cocked and sucked in close to her body. Any ideas?

 

[pdx2phx]

What else can you tell us about her behavior, appearance, etc?

How are her poops? Is she eating/drinking? eyes open, alert or sleepy?

How is her breathing? Is her tail up or droopy/sagging?

How old - is she of laying age yet, if so, has she laid an egg recently? What is her comb/face color like (if she is old enough to have a red comb, is is still red, or is it pale?

Are her eyes/nostrils clear or mucked up? Does she smell sour?

Hope she perks up for you.....from my own personal experience they can tell you a lot about what's going on with them just by how they look/behave....but there are always those 'surprises' too.

I hope your little hen is ok.

 

[chkn]

I've heard ear infections, vitamin deficiencies, dehydration can do that (loss of electrolytes from the heat). I'd get some antibiotic and electrolytes going. Get some kind of supplement.

I just thought of something. What if she's egg bound? I had one stagger pretty awkwardly with that. Another thing, look at her vent and check under her wings, etc., looking for MAGGOTS (it's fixable so don't freak).

Look her over thoroughly but don't lay her on her back or anything like that.

 

[daniel-delarosa]

I looked at her this morning. Still staggering around and neck still crooked. she does seem to nod off for a sec and then wakes back up. We brought her in the house to see if the cool air would help.

 

[froggiesheins]

Because of where youlive she might be having heat exhaustion. Good for you to bring her in the house and keep her there till she looks better. Feed her electroyles in the water or something similiar, eggs, mealworms etcc.....and watch a good movie together! Hope that helps....

 

[daniel-delarosa]

I noticed today that she is trying to stretch her neck and opening her mouth like something is stuck in her throat?

 

[froggiesheins]

There is a possibility of her having Gapeworms. Stretching the neck/opening the mouth is one of the signs. Check out gapeworm on BYC, there is tons of info on it.