DRUNK HEN!

[QUATRO]

I bought three new hens in March. A few weeks later, one of them literally fell out of the coop in the morning and spent the rest of the day staggering around as if very drunk. I separated her and gave her antibiotics. They had no effect. The vet said it was probably Marek's disease, but the chick had been vaccinated against this and has susequently not died. She improved slightly but was still staggering, which made her unable to keep up with the rest of the flock (free range), but she continued to eat, drink and lay.

Now, she's sitting on a clutch of eggs with only a few days to hatch. I'm very proud of her. However, she is still staggering about and falling backwards when she takes a break from the nest. I think she is going to be OK, but has anyone any idea what could be the problem with her and of course, is there any cure? Or has she got some neurological condition that wont repair itself? She seems to be able to see OK, so it's not an eyesight problem. What do you think?

Thanks,

Quatro.

[PLUMPUDDING]

Sorry I can't be of any help, I've looked this up on a few sites but there is nothing definite. What breed of hen is it? One mentions that Silkies and Polish sometimes have this problem and it is a neurological problem caused by the structure of their heads.

Has she hatched the chickens yet? It doesn't sound like an infection if she is otherwise well - and sitting on eggs.


I hope she is OK.

[QUATRO]

Thanks for investigating Plumpudding. She's a Black Rock hen and is proudly tending to four chicks hatched yesterday. They are complete sweeties! She seems to have withstood the last three weeks very well, so she can't be that sick, though she's still staggering. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for her, though I'm not looking forward to when she has to join the main flock, as they bully her at every opportunity. My other Black Rock of three years is the main culprit (she bullies all of them), even though she is the smallest bird in the coop! Thanks again.

Quatro

[Diane]

I'm wondering if she has an ear infection which would affect her balance. Check her ears aren't blocked. Just a thought.

[PLUMPUDDING]

That is a good idea Diane it could an ear infection upsetting her balance. Could she have got a mite or something in her ear causing infection? It might be worth trying some ear drops. I think there is one that gets rid of mites etc in dogs' ears.

I'm glad the chicks have hatched OK. I've got two black rock and one of them bullies all the others. She has assumed the position of leader of the flock since I got rid of the cockerel and it has rather gone to her head. My other hens are a Daisy Bell, a Cream Legbar and a nine year old Lavender Araucana (who laid another egg yesterday).

[QUATRO]

Thanks Diane and Plumpudding. I gave the hen anti-biotics as soon as she started this staggering lark. They didn't touch her. I've checked her ears and they seem to be perfectly clear. Do you think it would still be worth me pursuing your ear drops idea? Do you know which one to get and is there anything licenced for chickens? I'll also consult the vet on this, though he should have picked this out as a possibility straight off. Thanks for your help, I really appreciate it. Even though I've kept chickens for almost three years now, I still consider myself a novice with chick ailments. It's a continuous learning curve. Best wishes, Quatro.