The Poultry Keeper

thewinkingtiger · Joined: 31 Aug 2005 Posts: 936 Location: East Yorkshire, UK

One of my wyandottes is acting strangely.
She is walking around like she is drunk. She is platting her legs as she walks and keeps falling over like she can't balance properly.
Other than feeding and putting them away - due to rain yesterday I didn't spend anytime with them. When she was going to bed she fell of the ramp into the house and just layed on the floor flapping her legs in the air. I picked her up and as the ramp was a bit slippy with the rain didn't think more about it.
So today watching her - it is obvious that there is something else going on.
So over to you guys - what do I need to check with her and what can I do?

Thanks in advance

Debs

Aussie Chick · Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2005 1:09 pm Post subject:

I gave mine wheat that had been sitting in some rain water and they loved it. We wondered if they could get drunk on it, as that's the beginning of the whiskey process ( soaking wheat).

have yours had any? Can you go to the vet?

Deb_Moderator · Joined: 13 Apr 2005 Posts: 3661

When she struggles standing and walking...does it look like either leg is out to one side, or both?

thewinkingtiger · Joined: 31 Aug 2005 Posts: 936 Location: East Yorkshire, UK

Thanks both

Aussiechick - No she hasn't had any soaked wheat - unless soaked pellets would have the same effect - but then surely the others would be showing the same.

Deb - no her legs seem fine - it's just she doesn't seem to be able to control them or her balance.
On observing her she seems to be shaking her head and trying to scratch her ears - a bit like a dog does when they're have ear trouble.

Does that help any ?

She is still eating and drinking - athough she keeps having to lie down to do it.

Debs

Deb_Moderator · Joined: 13 Apr 2005 Posts: 3661

Go give her a gentle cuddle. While you are holding her, can you feel if she is losing weight, is there any discharge from eyes or nose, listen to her breathing.

thewinkingtiger · Joined: 31 Aug 2005 Posts: 936 Location: East Yorkshire, UK

Hi again!

Cuddle accomplished! She didn't enjoy it as much as me though Wink

There is no discharge from anywhere, no breathing sounds (so am assuming that means it's ok) As much as I don't know what chickens ears are supposed to look like, they seemed ok. No swelling or redness or smell.
Not sure about the weight - as we haven't had her that long - but seems healthy overall apart not being able to balance.

Deb_Moderator · Joined: 13 Apr 2005 Posts: 3661

Hmmm, I am at a loss. I will go check the vet manuals as soon as I can. (There are links in the Golden Nuggets)

thewinkingtiger · Joined: 31 Aug 2005 Posts: 936 Location: East Yorkshire, UK

Thanks Deb
I did take a look at Merks vet page - unfortunately I couldn't bring up anything I could understand with the symptoms I've got.
When I went down tonight to shut the chooks in = she was lying under the house just kicking her legs in the air - she is obviously having real problems.

I'm trying not to be disheartened - but I feel like I'm not having much luck. If she doesn't recover - that's 3 chickens I will have lost in the month I've been keeping them Sad

Deb_Moderator · Joined: 13 Apr 2005 Posts: 3661

Sigh......

Please call the vet asap. Sad

Sueeltringham · Joined: 05 Aug 2005 Posts: 10 Location: Northumberland

I had a chicken that could not balance properly when walking and kind of plaited its legs, occasionally flapped wings and generally looked drunk. It sounds like it could possibly be Mareks, but I'm not a vet. Mine didn't show classic symptoms at first, but deteriorated after a few weeks until she sat with one leg out in front, one behind. She ate and drank normally. I hope this is not what your hen has. How old is she? The most common time for them to show symptom is 16-24 weeks. Only a good poultry vet could give you a likely diagnosis. We'll keep our fingers crossed for her.

Sue

thewinkingtiger · Joined: 31 Aug 2005 Posts: 936 Location: East Yorkshire, UK

Does the 'sigh' mean she's not going to make it? Sad

I phoned the breeder - just in case they knew what it could be.
Anyway he has asked me to take her back to him. He will isolate and treat her - so hopefully if she has anything it will be away from my other girls.
And if she pulls round all well and good she'll come home - if not he will replace her.

Fingers crossed - I get MY girl back. But what a difference from this breeder to the last one. (Big up for the guy!)

Will let you know what the outcome is.

Sue - she is in that age range Sad

I'm convinced its something to do with her ears because of the balance etc. But then again I'm not a vet - I just 'feel it' if that makes sense.

Deb_Moderator · Joined: 13 Apr 2005 Posts: 3661

The sigh was, because with out doing an op to check for tumors on the spine.....I believe it to be Mareks.

But didn't want to post that and get you worked up, as I am not a vet, I have not seen the bird, etc.

I am glad that your breeder is taking such good care of you. At least that brings a little comfort.

Aussie Chick · Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2005 9:30 pm Post subject:

maybe you could tell us who the breeder is. The good ones should get recognition!!

I hope they manage to make her well again. Fingers are crossed.

lilly the pink · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 78 Location: Wiltshire

It sounds very much to me like hse has an ear infection of some kind. Next time you pick her up give her ears a good look over. Their earholes are tucked away behind little tufty bits behind the wattles but you should be bable to find them easily enough. She could have a build up of wax from irritation caused by mites or she could have an infection of the mycoplasma sort. These will both affect her balance.

Ideally you should take her to a vet for some antibiotic treatment or ear drops but as its the weekend you may not be able to get an appointment. As an emergency precaution you can try this:

Examine the ear openings carefully and if there is any discharge or build up of crusty stuff you can carefully bathe with warm water and remove it with a cotton bud and a cocktail stick. Only do this around the entrance to the ear, don't poke anything inside.

Then you can get a teaspoon of witch hazel (or warm water if you have no witch haazel) and add one drop of eucalyptus oil/tea tree oil or lavender oil to it and then put one or two drops of the mixture into each ear. Witch Hazel is great because it has an astringent effect and will help to clear the ear out and the oils will help any infection.

I have an Araucana cock who regularly gets crusty ears because he has great hairy tufts coming out of them and that is what I do. The first time he had the problem I thought he was on his last legs (if he could have stood up) and the home made ear drops worked really well. I now treat him on a regular basis and he has had no relapses.

If you can't see any discharge or crusty deposits round the ear openings then please ignore all the above and see a vet asap.

NannyP · Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2005 10:07 pm Post subject:

Good Luck, hope she's okay Confused