Wobbly Drunk Hen

[ChickMe423]

Hi. I just officially joined BYC. I have a 2 year old Bantam Cochin Hen that I found being a little unstable on her feet. I quarantined her and today, the 3rd day, she can barely stand on her own and sits on her hunches. She will get a burst and take a few wobbly steps and sit again.
She will eat and drink but needs to be placed in front of the food. I have eliminated a possible injury by careful examination of legs and feet and by giving her a half if a baby aspirin for 2 days with no improvement. She poops normally and regularly and I gave her a Epsom salt soak so she's not egg bound. I have checked her crop and it's normal at night and in the mornings so it's not sour crop. I have checked her for bumblefoot and her feet are perfect. I've checked for mites and lice but I find nothing. I just bought some Rooster Booster Poultry Cell and will start that tomorrow.
What could this be? Should I try antibiotics (what kind)? Should I treat for possible coccidiosis and worms (symptoms don't really match)? Any help is appreciated!

 

[ChickMe423]

Please... I'm really needing help.

 

[Tonyroo]

@Wyorp Rock , @Eggcessive , can you help?

 

[Alicethewhiterabbit]

Could it be a thiamine deficiency?http://www.poultrydvm.com/views/symptoms.php

 

[Perris]

hello @ChickMe423 - welcome to BYC

Sorry to hear about your pretty hen's problem; Tonyroo's called a couple of health experts, I'll call some more, and hopefully someone's up at whatever time this is where they live... @azygous @coach723 @dawg53

 

[dawg53]

You mentioned that she wasnt eggbound. When was the last time she laid an egg?
Also, has she been in molt or coming out of molt?

 

[coach723]

First thing I do when there is balance or neurological/muscular symptoms with no identifiable cause is give a super B complex vitamin (human ones-regular not time release) once a day to see if it helps. Hock sitting can be riboflavin deficiency, many of the B's can cause weird symptoms when deficient. The B's are very safe to give, it won't hurt anything even if it's something else, and may very well help.

 

[azygous]

You've presented us with a very good narrative with much good info, but we could really use your location and what your weather was doing right before you found this hen like this.

How many chickens do you have? Is this hen bullied to your knowledge?

Have there been any serious predator scares?

For starters, when I find a chicken weak and wobbly, the first thing I do is to treat for shock or hypothermia. Quite often a cup of warm water with a teaspoon of sugar stirred in will resolve this. In any event, it won't hurt her.

 

[ChickMe423]

Could it be a thiamine deficiency?http://www.poultrydvm.com/views/symptoms.php

Based on that link, it very well could be! Thank you

 

[ChickMe423]

You mentioned that she wasnt eggbound. When was the last time she laid an egg?
Also, has she been in molt or coming out of molt?

I know for sure that she hasn't laid an egg in the past 4 days. That's how long she's been inside the house with me. As far as I can tell, she's not in molt.