Wobbly Hen

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Wobbly Hen

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Lozzie

Joined: 25 May 2005
Posts: 2595

Posted: Sat Sep 01, 07 8:27 am Post subject: Wobbly Hen

Can anyone help?

My hybrid hen Dee is getting on for about 20 months old. She doesn't seem to be able to stand up properly - keeps collapsing down on her haunches (do hens have haunches??).

When she tries to turn around, she falls over

It's as though she has lost her sense of balance (do hens have a sense of balance?

)

There are no other symptoms. She is perfectly happy - still eating, sleeping, laying eggs and pooing as copiously as ever

. She's sociable and chatty, not obviously in pain, and her status in our little flock of four is unaffected. So, in one sense, I am not worried about her ... but I am concerned.

Could it be cramp? It has been going on for nearly a fortnight now

Woodburner

Joined: 28 Apr 2006
Posts: 2904
Location: Essex

Posted: Sat Sep 01, 07 10:09 pm Post subject:
I'd be worried about the possibility of it being Marek's disease, the more so probably because I have zero experience of it.

Lozzie

Joined: 25 May 2005
Posts: 2595

Posted: Sun Sep 02, 07 6:52 am Post subject:
I'm going to look at her eyes. Edited to add: They're completely normal!

tahir

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 45723
Location: Essex

Posted: Sun Sep 02, 07 9:10 am Post subject:
No poultry peeps about yet?

Jonnyboy

Joined: 29 Oct 2004
Posts: 23956
Location: under some rain.

Posted: Sun Sep 02, 07 9:23 am Post subject:
I can't see any symptoms that would match from my books, apart from cramp which seems to be four or five days before it clears up.

Treacodactyl
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism

Posted: Sun Sep 02, 07 11:53 am Post subject:
If she's been like it for a couple of weeks it sounds like a visit to the vet is required, especially if you have other hens about. As usual worth checking with the vet before you visit to ensure they know about poultry.

Lozzie

Joined: 25 May 2005
Posts: 2595

Posted: Sun Sep 02, 07 5:06 pm Post subject:
That's what we were beginning to think, Treac. Problem is we haven't found a vet locally who knows anything about poultry!! Shall keep you posted ....

Treacodactyl
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism

Posted: Sun Sep 02, 07 5:15 pm Post subject:

Lozzie wrote:

That's what we were beginning to think, Treac. Problem is we haven't found a vet locally who knows anything about poultry!!

Shall keep you posted ....

Yes it can be hard to track a poultry vet down, it's much easier said than done. Good luck.

Vanessa

Joined: 08 May 2006
Posts: 8324

Posted: Mon Sep 03, 07 4:43 pm Post subject:
Try posting here - www.thepoultrykeeper.co.uk ... full of poultry people, so more chance of getting help on this, as it sounds pretty specialist. good luck with her!

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