Chicken confused

[dianefbarfield]

My 6 year old chicken started acting strange yesterday. Seems confused, bumping into things, clumsy. She is not eating but drinking a LOT. Gave her a cool bath last night and was surprised to see her alive this morning. She did not roost but slept on the coop floor. Her comb is floppy so I thought heat but the other ones are fine. No signs of injury or illness. She shakes her head like someone trying to clear their head. Suggestions?

 

[Chicken_Obsesser]

@Eggcessive

 

[coach723]

Check her eyes, make sure she can see. Use a light to see if the pupils dilate, move hands around her head, etc. Also check her ears for any sign of infection, swelling, crusty inside, etc.
Is her crop empty, full, hard, soft and squishy, etc.

 

[Eggcessive]

Is she normally low in the pecking order? Can you check her skin all over and under the vent for any lice or mites? Perhaps take a picture of her eyes or see if they appear normal. Does she lay eggs normally.

 

[dianefbarfield]

Is she normally low in the pecking order? Can you check her skin all over and under the vent for any lice or mites? Perhaps take a picture of her eyes or see if they appear normal. Does she lay eggs normally.

She is the oldest and usually the queen of the coop. I will check her eyes and ears.

 

[dianefbarfield]

Check her eyes, make sure she can see. Use a light to see if the pupils dilate, move hands around her head, etc. Also check her ears for any sign of infection, swelling, crusty inside, etc.
Is her crop empty, full, hard, soft and squishy, etc.

Thanks!

 

[dianefbarfield]

So ..she appears to be blind. She won't eat, I guess because she can't see, even out of my hand. What now? I guess I know but she is my first baby, survived a vicious dog attack and I'm really not equipped to dispatch chickens. Don't yell at me...I should be prepared but she is my first.

 

[Eggcessive]

Can you get good clear pictures of her eyes in good light? I would hold a small tin or cup up to her beak with some wet chicken feed and a bit of egg.

 

[dianefbarfield]

Can you get good clear pictures of her eyes in good light? I would hold a small tin or cup up to her beak with some wet chicken feed and a bit of egg.

I will. Her eyes are clear. I will try to feed her. Thank you so much.

 

[dianefbarfield]

She ate an egg with moist feed while sitting in my arms. But when I put her down she couldn't find it. She was pecking all around it. So definitely hungry just can't find the food. Her name is Angel.