HELP!! My chicken is unsteady on her feet and having issues walking....

[Bitty81]

Help! So my husband works on a farm and he recently brought home one of the chickens, she was the smallest chicken and the flock were picking on her - they pulled all her feathers on her head out.

I have never had a chicken before, so we set her up with a coop and feed, water ect and she seemed to be doing great. Feather were growing back on her head and all seemed to be improving for her. But the other day I found her on her side, unable to get up. I picked her up put her on her feet and she carried on like nothing had happened. In the last 24 hours or so, she has taken a turn for the worse and is having real issues standing and walking, she stands for a bit, eats and drinks, takes a few steps and then just drops to the floor.

I have never had chickens before so only know what I have read on the internet and advice given to me by a few local chicken owners. I am wondering if it could be a lack of vitamins to something??!!

She is still eating and drinking and generally quite bright eyed.

 

[daisy975]

I have the same exact thing happening with one of my chickens. I came on here this morning to post the same question. Mine had a run in with something, maybe a hawk, about a month ago and seemed to be recovering. Anyone have any suggestions?

 

[daisy975]

A friend of mine suggested she has worms. Have you found anything yet? How is she doing?

 

[Bitty81]

We took her to a Chicken friendly vet yesterday and she said she could have nerve damage in her legs as a result of the other chickens attacking her. Vet said she is quite underweight, but again this is due to the bullying. She barely has any muscle on her, so needs to put weight on a build muscle up. Other than that the vet said she is quite a healthy chicken, strong heart beat, bright eyed and good coat.

We've been advised to rest her and feed her a high protein diet, put poultry tonic in her water and give her nutri drops. This morning I weren't out to see her and she was standing up, which is good. She just needs time and love and hopefully she will recover.

This stuff is supposed to be amazing -

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Net-Tex-Poultry-Nutri-Drops/dp/B003L6PN02

How is your chicken?

 

[daisy975]

Oh gosh! So glad your girl is better!! I think we're on the mend also. I have her separated from the other girls during the day. But, she wants so badly to be in the coop that I let her go in at night. I will definitely get some of those drops. Thank you so much and again I'm glad you got some good news.

 

[Bitty81]

My chick hasn't improved much since. Won't walk, still just sitting in her cage

We have to help her stand up

 

[daisy975]

Any change in your girl?

 

[Bitty81]

No she much the same. We are feeding her and spending time with her and she is happy enough. What about yours?

 

[daisy975]

She is much better, but not great! She's coming out the coop in the morning by herself again. She seems much more steady, but still weak. Thank you! Please keep me updated about yours.

 

[Bitty81]

Awwww that's really good. Nugget is very thin, I guess from months of being pushed off her food by the other chickens. So we are feeding her lots of high protien food, vitamins and making sure she drinks. She doesn't stand much, and when she does she collapses after a few minutes. Hopefully we will see progress soon