Jesse Lee Turner
Chirping
- May 28, 2025
- 52
- 154
- 71
Ok well here we go, right now it sounds like she is neurologically decompensated, could be mini-strokes from high estrogen levels, many things come to mind:
This hen is in serious trouble now. Likely mini-strokes caused by high estrogen production. Has she been egg bound a lot? Had salpingitis recently? Egg laying issues? Any how we can try pulling her through :
1. Can’t stand but still alert = neurological or systemic issues
2. Tail down 90% of the time = severe weakness or discomfort
3. Using wings for balance, almost falling = ataxia or nerve/muscle issues
4. Dirty vent, poor drinking, slow eating = hydration and hygiene risks
5. Crop empties but energy is fading = digestion still working, but barely
With these signs, possibilities include:
1. Reproductive system disease: egg yolk peritonitis, salpingitis, or internal laying causing toxins and weakness.
2. Unlikely but neurological disease or Marek’s/other virus — slow onset, balance loss, and weakness
3. Severe nutritional deficiency: especially calcium, vitamins A, D, E, K, and B-complex, more common in older hens who eat less
4. Advanced parasite or bacterial infection — worms, respiratory, or systemic
5. Toxic/metabolic causes, liver or kidney struggling manifesting as neurological and physical decline
We can try to thin blood a little and prevent clot strokes:
Vitamin E: 100iu up to 200iu (safe DAILY upper limit for hens).
Turmeric: Give about 1/8 teaspoon of turmeric powder daily — a small pinch mixed gently into her food or water, or added to a little olive/coconut oil and given in a capsule or via syringe to beak.
BUT choose one or the other, not both.
*Warm, draft-free spot: target 85-90°F if possible
*Syringe feed electrolyte solution (I can give you recipe): small amounts every hour or two (start with just a few drops, increase as tolerated):
RECIPE -electrolyte solution:
1 Offer highly digestible, high-energy food:
*You’ve done fenbendazole — that’s good. Ensure full 5-day course completed.
*Deworming alone might not be enough if there’s reproductive disease or infection.
*If possible, get an avian vet involved immediately for diagnostics and antibiotics or anti-inflammatories. Or if you know where wing, hock or jugular veins are (right is usually bigger than left) and if you know how to pull blood you can send away yourself for testing and bypass vets.
1. Crop full and not emptying (sour crop), can indicate metabolic or neuro problems: may require crop flush or antifungal
2. Sudden worsening: seizures, unable to swallow, gasping breathing = emergency
3. Poop color changes: green bile (liver), black tarry (bleeding), watery (infection)
4. Dehydration signs: sunken eyes, dry mouth, weak pulse
This is a critical window. She still shows alertness, which is great hope, but time is short. Focus all your energy on hydration, warmth, gentle nutrition.
You’ve done great with vitamins and deworming — now step it up to intensive supportive care. Sometimes it’s just about keeping her comfortable while meds and nutrition rebuild her strength.
Keep her close, keep fighting for her, and please keep us updated. We’re here to help every step.
This hen is in serious trouble now. Likely mini-strokes caused by high estrogen production. Has she been egg bound a lot? Had salpingitis recently? Egg laying issues? Any how we can try pulling her through :
1. Can’t stand but still alert = neurological or systemic issues
2. Tail down 90% of the time = severe weakness or discomfort
3. Using wings for balance, almost falling = ataxia or nerve/muscle issues
4. Dirty vent, poor drinking, slow eating = hydration and hygiene risks
5. Crop empties but energy is fading = digestion still working, but barely
With these signs, possibilities include:
1. Reproductive system disease: egg yolk peritonitis, salpingitis, or internal laying causing toxins and weakness.
2. Unlikely but neurological disease or Marek’s/other virus — slow onset, balance loss, and weakness
3. Severe nutritional deficiency: especially calcium, vitamins A, D, E, K, and B-complex, more common in older hens who eat less
4. Advanced parasite or bacterial infection — worms, respiratory, or systemic
5. Toxic/metabolic causes, liver or kidney struggling manifesting as neurological and physical decline
We can try to thin blood a little and prevent clot strokes:
Vitamin E: 100iu up to 200iu (safe DAILY upper limit for hens).
Turmeric: Give about 1/8 teaspoon of turmeric powder daily — a small pinch mixed gently into her food or water, or added to a little olive/coconut oil and given in a capsule or via syringe to beak.
BUT choose one or the other, not both.
PRIORITY ONE:
1. Stabilize Hydration & Warmth*Warm, draft-free spot: target 85-90°F if possible
*Syringe feed electrolyte solution (I can give you recipe): small amounts every hour or two (start with just a few drops, increase as tolerated):
RECIPE -electrolyte solution:
- 1 cup warm water
- Pinch salt + pinch baking soda
- 1 tsp sugar or molasses
- Optional: drop of poultry vitamin or B-complex (ensure it’s poultry safe!)
- Avoid forceful syringe feeding unless you’re confident to prevent aspiration — small, careful doses are better than none.
**small dose B1 can be given to reverse neurotoxicity in some cases. 50mg immediately (even human B1/thiamine crushed in water and syringed will buy time). Taper to 30mg (max 100mg in a day) over 2 days, taper to supportive 10mg a day as required up to 100mg if required.
2. Encourage Eating
1 Offer highly digestible, high-energy food:
- Scrambled or boiled egg yolk diluted in water
- Baby poultry feed or finely chopped soft greens
- Berries or treats she likes (to keep appetite stimulated)
- Avoid dry feed if she’s not eating much — soften or soak pellets.
3. Vent Care
- Clean gently with warm water and low dose epsom salts daily
- Keep dry and monitor for smell or worsening dirtiness
- Use mild antiseptic if needed (chlorhexidine diluted)
4. Medication
*You’ve done fenbendazole — that’s good. Ensure full 5-day course completed.
*Deworming alone might not be enough if there’s reproductive disease or infection.
*If possible, get an avian vet involved immediately for diagnostics and antibiotics or anti-inflammatories. Or if you know where wing, hock or jugular veins are (right is usually bigger than left) and if you know how to pull blood you can send away yourself for testing and bypass vets.
What to Watch For
1. Crop full and not emptying (sour crop), can indicate metabolic or neuro problems: may require crop flush or antifungal
2. Sudden worsening: seizures, unable to swallow, gasping breathing = emergency
3. Poop color changes: green bile (liver), black tarry (bleeding), watery (infection)
4. Dehydration signs: sunken eyes, dry mouth, weak pulse
Final Words for now
This is a critical window. She still shows alertness, which is great hope, but time is short. Focus all your energy on hydration, warmth, gentle nutrition.
You’ve done great with vitamins and deworming — now step it up to intensive supportive care. Sometimes it’s just about keeping her comfortable while meds and nutrition rebuild her strength.
Keep her close, keep fighting for her, and please keep us updated. We’re here to help every step.
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