4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[Dilys]

Can anyone offer any advice please? One of our hens has started behaving oddly today. She seems to have a loss of balance if she tries to scratch the ground, her head seems to be constantly moving from right to left. and she keeps pecking the air over her left shoulder. I noticed that not much of her food has been eaten, so don't think she is eating properly. This morning I found her lying in the coop after she had laid, which is something she never does.Any advice would be appreciated, as we can't get her to the vets before tomorrow.

[Chucky Mama]

Do you think that she can see?

[Dilys]

Not sure, she seems to stumble over things rather than walk over them, but her eyes look clear and bright.

[Chucky Mama]

I don't know what is can be, sight, inner ear balance issues (if chickens can get them?) or brain injury/inflammation - sorry I really don't know. Someone else may be able to offer more advice. If she was mine I would keep her in a familiar area though confined to a small part of it to minimise movement and I would assist her with feeding until more advise or a trip to the vets can be sorted.

[Dilys]

Just thought I'd let you know for interest's sake that it could be a B vitamin deficiency according to our vet. We live in France and have had a drought for several weeks, as a result of which there is no grass in their enclosure - combined with the wheat we give them daily could produce the dizziness she's experiencing. So vitamin supplement in water for a week, plus a good idea to worm them again (should be done 3 times a year), she should be improved in 3-4 days, if not something more sinister and we all know what happens then. So fingers crossed!

[Chucky Mama]

Very interesting, thanks for the update. I would be really interested to see how she responds to treatment.