Weak, off balance, laying on side...

[mstewart]

My hen has been acting really odd the past 2-3 days and she is getting worse. She is eating/drinking fine.

Her legs are very weak and she falls forward. Now, she is pretty much laying on her side. When I put food by her she eats it just fine. Poo is runny, but normal colors. She is very lethargic. She normally runs from me but just doesn't have the energy to do it now. Just lays there. By the looks of it she only has a day or two left unless I figure something out. I've got her seperated now in the house actually out of the cold - in a big plastic tub with shavings.

Any ideas? I really don't want to lose her...

Thanks,
Matthew

 

[dlhunicorn]

it could be due to any number of things... I really couldn't even guess from the info you have given , however what you need to do is to ensure she does not become dehydrated... you will need to put elctrolytes/vitamins in the waterer (Durvet from the feed store is one or even childrens pediolyte will do in a pinch)... if she is unable to drink herself then you can dribble some alongside her beak...you will need to keep doing this every half hour or so until she can drink herself. Make sure it is not cold but of a tepid warmth.

 

[jeaucamom]

Check her feet. She sounds like she is doing the same general thing a hen of ours recently did, and she wound up having something called Bumblefoot. It looks like swollen, infected scabs on the pads of the feet.

 

[mstewart]

Well... I did the whole latex glove & KY situation to see if maybe she has a stuck egg or something but I didn't feel anything wierd - though I really don't know what I'm looking for.

Her feet condition seems fine - no sores/swelling, etc...

She is still eating/drinking but seems to have no control over her leg strength and just defacates on herself because she can't get up, etc...

Any other ideas...

Many thanks.

Matthew

 

[jeaucamom]

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/PS044


Great site about common poultry diseases. Possibly botulism??? Good luck!