Would a severe molt cause staggering and inability to walk ? UPDATE!

[kayri]

My 3 year old Barred rock, Adele, has always been the healthiest, most chipper chicken of the group. About 4 days ago she started to molt and it is the worst moolt I've ever seen a chicken go through. big patches of pink skin with tons of blue quills everywhere. Yesterday she was out forgaing and pecking, but went to bed early. When I opened the door this morning she had a hard time getting down the ramp and then started to stumble and walk in circles. I put her back in the coop with her own bowl of sunflower seeds and water. She is alert and is still talking at me, but when she tries to get up, she keeps stumbling? Could it just be the severe molt?

My small flock of 5 are in a 60 x 100 electric fence which includes shrubs, bushes, lawn and fruit trees. I let them out once a day to range around the rest of the property. They have pellets at will and I give them 1/2 cup of corn/ sunflower seeds and any leftovers from dinner once a day. Once a week I give them avia charge in their water, and the rest of the time I put a splash of apple cider vinegar in their water.

Aside from supportive care what can I do? Would appreciate any thoughts!

Thanks Kay

 

[Sjisty]

I think you are dealing with something more than just molting. Has she had access to any bad food or poisonous plant?

 

[Vyraal]

I'm sorry I don't know anything about what could be happening with your hen, but I have to add; that's quite a large amount of sunflowers you give your chooks! I've always heard they're to high in fat to give that often.

 

[jjthink]

I have seen a molt cause staggering, confusion, inability to eat and drink without a lot of coaxing. Extreme supportive care at this time. Add extra protein - whether through scrambled egg, very good quality natural-as-you-can-get cat crunchies, mealworms....it may well take a lot of experimenting to fiund what she'll accept, and that could change daily!
I hope she'll be okay

JJ

 

[kayri]

Yikes, sorry to hear you don't think it is just the molt. I can't say there aren't poisionous plants around, but I've had chickens around the property for about 5 years now and I don't remember this before- once with a young hen that I nursed through a thing that everyone called Mareks, but she pulled thorugh. I didn't think Mareks would affect an older hen. Her legs are not twisted in that classic Marek's position. The last few days they have had just oatmeal/yogurt in the morning as I didn't have any leftovers. I know that they are spoiled, but I can't think of anything that would be poisionous.


I thought that the sunflower seeds were better than corn. I give them about 1/2 cup tbut they have to fight off the squirrels and chipmunks- so I don't think they get the full half cup. Maybe you are right about the sunflower seeds- the squirrels have been looking rather fat lately ; )

 

[kayri]

Thanks JJthink. I was hoping someone would say that. (I'll move this little hen right up into my bedroom! Only if my significant other was out of town. . . ) She is my favorite and mine are spoiled as it is, so I'll support in all ways possible.. . and will keep you posted.

 

[Vyraal]

Good luck with your hen, I do hope the poor thing gets better! And the whole sunflower thing is from my own personal expirience, but with my conure, he got waaay to overweight and we had to change his diet, and I can only assume the fat problem could occur in chooks.

 

[kayri]

Just an update, Adele might be doing a bit better. I hand fed her a scrambled egg/ day for the last two days and held water so she could drink it 3 times/day. Also gave her lots of sunflower seeds and oats. She was out of the coop today and walking around- still unsteady but not as bad as early yesterday. I have high hopes for that perky chicken.

 

[jjthink]

Glad to hear it!!
JJ

 

[kayri]

Just wanted to let everyone know that Adele is back to her chipper self- she still looks ratty and is probably not very happy with our sudden drop in temps- low 30's tonight, but she is no longer staggering and runs around with the rest of them. I never knew that a bad molt could do that to a chicken! Thank you BYC'ers for your advice and support!

Kay