Whats wrong with Betty the Columbian Blacktail?

[thethreems]

Hi All,

I'm hoping someone may help with this as after losing a Maran and nursing her just last week and having no faith in my local vet, Im at a loss.

I have 4 Columbian Blacktails who are all fit and healthy and laying each day, running around free range live the life of luxury IMO and are well cared for, but one Betty who came from the same breeder and bought at the same time has always been a little odd.

She is about 30 weeks old and has not grown as the same as the others. Her crown/wattles have stayed the same small and pink whilst the others are large and red, she is thin but not showing signs of losing any feathers. She used to do a bit of a 'moonwalk' and walk backwards which at first did seem funny, but has stopped that but is now not running / walking about, but when she does walk her head is tilted to the left and she is losing her balance (even when picked up) and just wants to sit down and sleep. Its a bit like to me a human who has had a stroke, can that happen to a chicken?

She will eat small amounts and drink a little (its so hot here at the moment up to 32dgs, very unusual) but her behaviour is getting worse. She is not picked on by the others but really is a loner who will go in the hen summerhouse for shade and keep out of the way of the others.

I have checked for any parasites and can find nothing at all..

I'm really at a loss with her and really don't like to see her stumbling as its now become worse, can anyone give me any idea of what may be wrong?

 

[Judy]

I don't know what is wrong with her. Yes, chickens can have strokes, along with many other human conditions. I am wondering if she might have Marek's. i believe the walking backward is indicative of some disease they can get, but I don't even know whether it's Marek's or something else.

Not much help, but I saw no one answered you (I would guess because no one knows!), and thought I'd give you a link to a Marek's article, just in case.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/mareks-disease-fact-site

 

[thethreems]

Thanks for your reply. I did look up the disease and she is showing some of the signs, but when I bought her (and the other Blacktails) they have been vaccinated by the breeder.

She is still as bad this morning and the 'tilt' is getting worse on the left side. Suppose I will just have to keep a close eye on her and make sure she drinks/eats. They all had strawberrys after the proper breakfast this morning and looks like another hot one today.

Thanks again

 

[thethreems]

Well shes far worse this morning, she will not come out of the hen house even for treats. She is lying down mostly on the left hand side with her wing out with a very odd stare in her eyes into the distance hardly blinking.

She spent the day with us in the garden just resting and been made a fuss of, and as its hot for us here at this time making sure she has shade, it got up to 39dgs and looks the same for today.

I feel so usless as I dont know what to do for her except make her as comfy as possible and making sure she has food/water. The joy of a chicken owner ;(...not

 

[Fancychooklady]

It's so frustrating when you can't help them. It could be a deficiency of sorts. Have you tried giving her some polyvisol or electrolyte 's and vitamin E? Try giving her some scrambled egg.

 

[annieswhynot]

Yogurt works great too, if its a vitamin deficciancy. I had 2 marans that I got from the hatchery and they were near death. Well one did die and I was not going to lose the other one. I actually brought them home to nurse them but it was already to late for the one but I read somewhere that yogurt has a great effect on them so I put some In a dropper and fed it to her every 15 minutes. I also dipped her beak in plain water to make her drink. It's been 2 months and she's doing awesome. We named her miracle. Good luck. I hate that this has happened. When someone says you need to cull that chicken, I always find something else to try first. They are my girls.

 

[thethreems]

Thanks for your replys guys, she and all my girls get quite a bit of yogurt and they love it with frozen grapes in, sort of hunt to good stuff at the bottom. Gave them all energy drinks as well as they are all panting in this heat.

They all get a good balance of feed and only after the pellets have been eaten do they get extra, fruit veg and seeds, watermelon and so on. Im boiling some eggs now and will mix with a little honey and oats to give to Betty, but having just checked her again, she has now developed a 'tick' in her head and finding it hard to get to the feeder without spraying food allover.

Her head is moving quite a bit, I really dont think shes long for this world its so sad to see...I will be outside most of the day so will keep her close and make sure she is well looked after, suppose thats all I can do.

As I said I took my Maran who was sick but not with the same as Betty to the vets, and to be honest she could not of cared less, but did get some tablets which did help a little, but poor hen then went blind (and I lied to the chemist to get drops without a prescription) but it was not long before she passed away and not in pain having just had her fav mealy worms.

Thanks again for your kind words

 

[thethreems]

After trying my best to look after her, Betty died a short while ago.

Kept her in a pet carrier in the house last night as you could tell she was going downhill. She ate/drank a little on her own and with my help today and I kept her close today but I knew and so did the other hens she was in a bad way they all wanted to be around her even when I tried to keep them away with treats.

I have never had a animal die in my arms and really this was awful, she seemed to be keeping check I was still there and then just drifted off but I did think she had what I can only say were 2 fits lashing out then her comb and wattles which have been almost white went dark red and foaming at the mouth and again, only a guess she appeared to have a heart attack, but could be wrong on that. But most of today she was almost twisted all around so her head looked so distorted.

She will be sadly missed, and really with loosing 2 in a matter of 2 weeks dont know If I should replace them.....

 

[realsis]

I am so very very sorry for your loss! Its always so hard to loose a loved animal! Espically in your arms but take comfort in knowing she felt your love all the way to the end.I'm sure it gave her great comfort knowing you were there. May God bless you and comfort you durning this very sad time! Maybe in the future you will think of getting some more chicks. Again I'm very very sorry.

 

[Fancychooklady]

Oh god bless your little Betty. Hopefully you will soon rid the awful memories of her death and just remember the joy she brought to you!