Hi
My oldest hen is almost 9 years and ex batt. She's doing a weird head bobbing thing. I'm not sure if she can see or see properly. She's a bit unsteady on her feet. It feels like balance issue or because she can't see. Sometimes her beak chatters.
No sign of illness in her or the others. Eyes are clear. She can walk but isn't very much.
Her head is constantly moving back and forth whist it also constanty drifts around to the left.
Could it be a stroke? Can they recover? What should I do? (Not sure I can take her to a competant bird vet - need to see if they're open and working in morning).
Background:
Was definetly completely normal on 30th Dec when she was out the run freeranging. Pretty sure she was ok on 31st Dec when she had a brief free range. Then on 1st Jan noticed she wouldn't come over for blueberries!
On closer inspection noticed she was fluffed up and acting like ill chickens do (being on her own etc). She did come over to say hello but seemed a bit unsteady and her head was bobbing in a weird way. Otherwise she seemed fine. No injury, no swelling or runny nose, etc. No preditor attack as they're in a run with electric fence (plus I was in all day and would've heard). It was sunset so I placed her in the coop and was going to sort it out in the morning. Normal weight. All other hens fine (but are younger - about 3 years). She has mild bumble foot but has for ages (vet said keep an eye on it).
At 4am today (2nd Jan) I was awoken to bangs coming from the coop. I went straight out. She was intermittantly running into the walls near the closed door (in UK. Dark until about 7:30‐8am at the moment).
I brought her in the house.
She's still doing this weird head thing where it goes back and forth and she turns her head. Sometimes her beak chatters. No breathing issues. Not lethargic (still fights when getting picked up). I'm undecided if she can see or see properly.
I wondered if the new year fireworks near here had stressed her out and caused a brain issue?
I have a video but issues linking it.
My oldest hen is almost 9 years and ex batt. She's doing a weird head bobbing thing. I'm not sure if she can see or see properly. She's a bit unsteady on her feet. It feels like balance issue or because she can't see. Sometimes her beak chatters.
No sign of illness in her or the others. Eyes are clear. She can walk but isn't very much.
Her head is constantly moving back and forth whist it also constanty drifts around to the left.
Could it be a stroke? Can they recover? What should I do? (Not sure I can take her to a competant bird vet - need to see if they're open and working in morning).
Background:
Was definetly completely normal on 30th Dec when she was out the run freeranging. Pretty sure she was ok on 31st Dec when she had a brief free range. Then on 1st Jan noticed she wouldn't come over for blueberries!
On closer inspection noticed she was fluffed up and acting like ill chickens do (being on her own etc). She did come over to say hello but seemed a bit unsteady and her head was bobbing in a weird way. Otherwise she seemed fine. No injury, no swelling or runny nose, etc. No preditor attack as they're in a run with electric fence (plus I was in all day and would've heard). It was sunset so I placed her in the coop and was going to sort it out in the morning. Normal weight. All other hens fine (but are younger - about 3 years). She has mild bumble foot but has for ages (vet said keep an eye on it).
At 4am today (2nd Jan) I was awoken to bangs coming from the coop. I went straight out. She was intermittantly running into the walls near the closed door (in UK. Dark until about 7:30‐8am at the moment).
I brought her in the house.
She's still doing this weird head thing where it goes back and forth and she turns her head. Sometimes her beak chatters. No breathing issues. Not lethargic (still fights when getting picked up). I'm undecided if she can see or see properly.
I wondered if the new year fireworks near here had stressed her out and caused a brain issue?
I have a video but issues linking it.
