Vertigo

[italktomychickens]

My hen is acting as though she has vertigo. She can move forward, sometimes struggling to move, but she gets going but when she stops walking she stumbles backwards onto her butt.
Can chickens have vertigo?

 

[Eggcessive]

Welcome to BYC. They can become imbalanced. I have been treating a hen that has done the same thing for 6 weeks. She would fall backward, or start walking and end up on her side. It has taken a month, but she is walking better now.

How old is your hen. Any new birds recently? Do you notice that one leg is weak or not working? Is she trying to walk around much, and is she able to stand? Does she use her wings to help her balance? Is either foot having curled under toes?

Sometimes Mareks disease can cause loss of balance if one leg seems weak. Look at her ears for any sign of infection. Hopefully, it is just something short term, but nothing as serious as Mareks. I would place her in a basket or dog crate for her protection, and continue to observe her symptoms. Make sure that she can reach food and water.

 

[italktomychickens]

Welcome to BYC. They can become imbalanced. I have been treating a hen that has done the same thing for 6 weeks. She would fall backward, or start walking and end up on her side. It has taken a month, but she is walking better now.

How old is your hen. Any new birds recently? Do you notice that one leg is weak or not working? Is she trying to walk around much, and is she able to stand? Does she use her wings to help her balance? Is either foot having curled under toes?

Sometimes Mareks disease can cause loss of balance if one leg seems weak. Look at her ears for any sign of infection. Hopefully, it is just something short term, but nothing as serious as Mareks. I would place her in a basket or dog crate for her protection, and continue to observe her symptoms. Make sure 'she can reach food and water.

She is able to get up and walk. She is probably 5-6 years old...I bought her from someone as an adult hen. She no longer lays eggs...they are just pets now. They are the last 2 from my flock. She gets unstable when she tries to stand in one place, such as to eat. I think she is getting more steady but then I think it's just me being hopeful!
The leg doesn't seem weak. It is most impacting her ability to stand still after moving forward. Once she steady's herself, she's fine.
Thanks for the encouragement!

 

[Eggcessive]

I would check her ears, just to make sure that they are clear, mmo swelling or drainage, mites, or signs of infection. Sometimes ear infections may cause imbalance.

 

[paneubert]

Neurological issues sometimes point to a vitamin deficiency. Which would not be surprising with an older bird. Can you try to get some vitamins in her?

 

[Eggcessive]

With my hen who was suffering from imbalance so bad that she was unable to walk without falling over backwards or sideways for a month, I gave her Poultry NutriDrench some days alternating with vitamin B complex, aplus a balanced diet. She has improved well, still has a little stumble now and the, but walks around for most of the day in the yard. She never had any ear problems, but it is always good to check.

 

[italktomychickens]

Well, she is not eating now. I boiled rice so I knew she was getting H2O but today she wouldn't eat that either. I keep her near the water bowl and place her in her box each night. She does drink, but I was afraid it wasn't enough, hence the rice diet. She can't hold her head still...kind of like she's nodding off and then jerks awake...I am heart broken! I even anticipated the worst and contacted the closest vet to see what they would charge for euthunization because I don't want her to suffer. She acts like she's blind...I put things in front of her and she doesn't even flinch. I'm holding out hope, but as I said, I also don't want her to suffer

 

[Eggcessive]

Sorry that she has become worse. It sounds like her time may be up. I would keep her as comfortable as possible, and hopefully, you can get a vet to put her down. It is never easy to make that decision, but sometimes we have to to keep them from suffering.