laneylaney Posted September 24, 2010 Share Posted September 24, 2010 I have a little black silkie who has been under the weather for several weeks, despite giving her a couple of oral doses of baytril. I am sure it is not mareks' as she doesn't display the symtoms, but we don't have any vets who specialise in domestic birds/chickens. I have checked her vent and "feathers" for mite and she isn't egg-bound. She is totally lethargic and will sit with her eyes closed from time to time even when eating. Her head sometimes goes back and forward slightly. When I pick her up she goes quite limp and she has lost so much weight. The other day I noticed when her eyes were open that the usually black eyes were very dull - could she have gone blind? Do silkies get some kind of neuralgic condition? She is styill eating and drinking but as I say, she is so not right. Has anyone any ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue-DiamondChick07 Posted September 24, 2010 Share Posted September 24, 2010 Sounds like my Silkie now shes rapidly going downhill. Its definatley a cold type of illness with my Hen, and shes on anti B's. Ive also brought her in so shes warm and away from the frisky cockerel.. Hope your Hen is better soon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted September 25, 2010 Share Posted September 25, 2010 So sorry. Her head moving up and down would seem to indicate being breathless so that could be respiratory or it could be a sign of anaemia. Have you checked the house for redmite? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laneylaney Posted September 26, 2010 Author Share Posted September 26, 2010 thanks for the replies and kind comments. I spoke to a vet yesterday and as a result of the conversation we decided to put the little silkie out of her misery. The vet seemed to think she had a worsening condition and when I told her about her dull eyes and shaking head she said she probably had something internal . I couldn't bear seeing her getting thinner ( we thought she was still eating, but the vet said she could simply be pecking without eating anything). She couldn't perch or groom herself. Then yesterday we opened the coop to find one of our light sussex girls had died! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted September 26, 2010 Share Posted September 26, 2010 I am so sorry what an awful weekend Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...