Silkie Life
In the Brooder
Hello all! This is my first post so I'm not entirely sure I am doing everything correctly but here goes. I wanted to see if anyone was able to help me figure out what is wrong with my 3yr old, black silkie hen. When I got her two months ago she was infested with lice and very lethargic/inactive. I did worm her with Eprinex pour on and delouse her with seven-dust delivered as recommended by my fellow chickenites. She perked up considerably and began to lay eggs again. However, she has gotten "dumpy" again and seems unsteady. Her balance has never been wonderful (I had to help right her after I dusted her belly with Seven while she was on her back). However, she has slowed down a lot over the past week. She walks slowly, occasionally righting herself with her wings. She does not seem to lack motor control, and I don't know that anyone who doesn't know her would think anything was wrong. She was never one to scamper around but she is definitely moving more slowly than usual. She walks over and watches the other hens dust bathe but she does not attempt to do more than sit down in the dirt. She also has one cloudy eye with no drainage or discharge. I though she may be blind in this eye but I'm not sure. I have not noticed this until today. Her other eye is perfectly clear. She is eating and drinking but spends most of the day sitting on the soft grass under her coop. I do notice green poo that is formed. However, it has been very dry here to the point of drought and we have just started having good rains that have resulted in fresh, tender green grass. She also appears to be molting. No nasal discharge or other respiratory symptoms that I can detect. I thought it was Marek's initially and flipped out. However, none of her other flock mates seem off and they all came from the same farm. Also, her motor control seems okay-it just looks like she cannot keep her balance well, her legs themselves don't appear weak. Any ideas?
