Trying again for help - hen can't walk - heat??

[RaeRae2]

I posted a few days ago but I wanted to try again since no one really had many ideas. The situation has had a few days to progress so I thought the new info might be more helpful.

I have 2 hens that free range, but I've been putting them in the chicken house at night because it is air conditioned. I want them to have some break from the heat. They went to bed a few nights ago with the others just like normal - no problems - totally fine. Next morning one of the free range hens was crumpled in a heap in the corner and can't move at all.

She has been in a wire dog cage in the chicken house with the air on for 3 days. She has laid a normal egg every day right where she sits. So I don't think it's anything with her reproductive tract like internal laying, eggbound, etc..

She is eating and drinking ok.

But she cannot walk at all. When I pick her up and hold her, she can move her legs but when I set her down, she tips onto her chest and just lays there in a hunkered down, sitting position.

I dewormed her yesterday with Wazine (last deworming was late winter) and have been giving her Sav-A-Chic in her water.

Her comb is bright red and healthy, she looks healthy and bright, alert. But whenever I move her, she has watery diarehea come from her vent, and she is making a wet, gurgling noise from there. Gross, I know, but I've never heard or seen that before.

Any ideas?

 

[terryg]

She might have gotten into a toxic plant. I had a hen that looked normal but couldn't stand. I believe she ate too much crown vetch. Epsom salt is a potent detoxifier. Try my Spa Treatment. It worked for my hen and she fully recovered, but it took time.
http://hencam.com/faq/the-spa-treatment/
You can also orally dose epsom salt. Dilute 1 teaspoon in 1/4 cup of water. Use a syringe and carefully squirt it into her mouth. Let her swallow. Try to get about a tablespoon into her.
(If you do a blog archive search for "buffy" and "epsom salt" you'll find her ongoing story.
This might not be the problem at all, but if it is but the treatment can't hurt. Buffy did not have that gurgling noise. Have you examined her bottom closely? Make sure there's no hidden wound, infection, or fly strike.
BTW, I'd hesitate to worm a sick hen as the drugs are potent. You might want to take a fecal sample to the vet and see if there your flock is infested. Otherwise, don't do it.

 

[RaeRae2]

Thank you for the response! I read your Spa Treatment article - very helpful, and I will try that! Tonight I am going to Tractor Supply to get some Poly-Vi-Sol as I read it can be very helpful also. I have olive oil, and she is eating a lot of soft, mushy foods so it will be no problem to give her some olive oil and some vitamins.

I have examined her vent thoroughly and aside from liquid diarehea shooting out when I mess with her, it looks healthy otherwise. She is bald underneath but she's been that way for over a year now. I have treated her with dust for lice/mice a couple of months ago.