Lost balance, won’t extend neck

[Springer0428]

Hello, our 6 month-ish chicken has been sick since we got back from a trip 3 days ago. So we aren’t sure if the symptoms have been going longer, but they are as follows:

She can’t balance, holds herself up against a wall
She won’t (or can’t) extend her neck
She is alert but lethargic
She tries to stand but falls back down
If she falls forward, she can’t get back up
Drinks water when hand fed
Appetite is very low
And is now covered in poop

 

[Eggcessive]

Welcome to BYC and sorry that hour chicken is sick. Is it hot where you live? Could she be dehydrated or have been kept from water and food by the other chickens? Could the water have gone dry while you were gone? I would start giving her sips of water, and get some Poultry Cell or NutriDrench at yourfeed store, and give her a few drops up to 2 ml daily. Offer some chopped egg, tuna, and wet a small amount of her chicken feed to make it runny.

At her age if she isn’t dehydrated or possibly suffering from coccidiosis, I might suspect Mareks disease, but it is a bit early to go there. Is she laying eggs? Can you check inside her vent with a finger an inch or two to see if she is egg bound? If you feel an egg, give her a human calcium tablet that also has vitamin D. Here is a good link to read about Mareks:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq.66077/

 

[Eggcessive]

If your vet locally can test her fresh droppings for coccidiosis and worms, that would help to rule out a few things. Corid or amprollium from your local feed store will treat coccidiosis. Dosage is 1 1/2 tsp of Corid powder or 2 tsp (10ml) of Corid liquid per gallon of water for 5-7 days, but they need to drink enough of the water. Symptoms are lethargic or sleepiness, weakness, diarrhea sometimes with blood or mucus, poor appetite, and standing around hunched with neck pulled into shoulders. Here is an article about coccidiosis:
http://www.thepoultrysite.com/publications/2/Coccidiosis Management/43/symptoms-and-diagnosis/