Wobbly Barred Rock

[DougRYGblog]

Henny...my Barred Rock who used to rule the roost, started getting bullied by a couple of my younger, more aggressive hens. I left them alone for a couple of days...as I've read that I shouldn't disturb the whole pecking order deal. But then I noticed the she was having a tough time getting around and getting to the food and water. So I isolated her in another cage...keeping her warm inside.

When I finally had her alone I noticed the following: 1. she seemed very weak...and was wobbly on her feet; 2. mostly laid down; 3. when I petted her she oddly crooked her head back to one side; 4. her eyes are a bit watery; 5. had diarrhea; and 6. had a tough time aiming for her food and water.

To help her w her food I gave her a bigger pile to aim at and then dripped water on the tip of her beak. That was 2 days ago. She seems to be eating well and awkwardly finding/drinking water...has gained a good bit of her strength back...is standing up more...and although her eyes are still a bit glassy, they look better. But she is still very wobbly on her feet and lists her head oddly to the right when I pet her.

What should I do? Do I need to give her any antibiotics? If so...what kind...how much...and how do I give it to her? Are there specific foods or other herbs/vitamins/home remedies I should try?

I've had backyard chickens for a couple of years now...but have had the great fortune to not have to deal with any sicknesses. So treating a sick bird is new to me. Any help y'all can provide would be much appreciated.

Thanks Backyard Chicken Friends,
Doug @RYGblog

 

[Cknldy]

Is she of egg laying age? If she is passing diarrhea probably not egg bound. Try adding Sav-A-Chick to her water. It's vitamins and minerals that will help give her a boost. What is her usual food? If no other chickens are showing signs then she may have eaten something that wasn't good for her or just a nutritional imbalance. When she does eat/drink does she do it in an odd way as though having problems? I'm leaning towards feed/vitamin/mineral problem. I hope someone with experience about the glassy eyes chimes in to help you out cuz that one is a puzzler to me

 

[DougRYGblog]

Thanks Cknldy! Really appreciate your taking the time to chime in on Henny's behalf. I will get some Sav-A-Chick today.

To answer your questions/comments: 1. Yes, she's still of egg-laying age; 2. Her normal food is chicken feed pellets, weeds/bugs she finds in our garden, and table scraps; 3. All the other hens (6) seem very healthy; 3. The only problem she seems to be having related to eating/drinking is "her aim"...I think related to her being wobbly...not being able to focus/keep her balance; and 4. her watery eyes are less of a concern to me...just something I noticed because I've been studying her intently (i.e., I probably wouldn't have noticed them otherwise).

Thanks again Cknldy! Much appreciated,
Doug @RYGblog