rufusrooster Posted July 29, 2011 Share Posted July 29, 2011 hi, purchased 3 copper black marans and a cream legbar 2 weeks today, they will be approx 14 weeks old now, the 3 marans seem to have a problem, noticably when they are just sat or perched, constantly shaking the head like a twitch, is this normal ? ive never noticed it in other hens but 1st time ive had birds younger than pol. any ideas ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted July 31, 2011 Share Posted July 31, 2011 Could it be ear infection or ear mites? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coco Posted July 31, 2011 Share Posted July 31, 2011 I had two young hens that did this and they had a respiratory infection and needed antibiotics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rufusrooster Posted July 31, 2011 Author Share Posted July 31, 2011 thanks for the advice, they dont seem so bad now, whatever the problem, it seems odd the legbar doesn't seem to be infected / affected ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 1, 2011 Share Posted August 1, 2011 It can just be some food gone down the wrong way or got stuck, but equally it could be an ear infection or mites as mentioned above. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rufusrooster Posted August 1, 2011 Author Share Posted August 1, 2011 hi guys, still twitching i'm afraid although does seem to have eased off a bit, what would be my best options of correctly diagnosing the problem and also curing it ? i do have some anti louse/mite spray but is it safe to spray around the ears ? and would i be able to get some anti-biotics over the counter ? is it baytrill or something like that ? cheers in advance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted August 2, 2011 Share Posted August 2, 2011 Why not go to a vet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rufusrooster Posted August 2, 2011 Author Share Posted August 2, 2011 Why not go to a vet? i will if i can get some antibiotics over the counter, will try pop in today see what they advise, but i will not be taking any chickens to the vet i'm afraid, a waste of money, vets fees cost more than the chickens, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted August 2, 2011 Share Posted August 2, 2011 Then I fear you will be unlucky. No vet would be allowed to just dole out antibiotics without examining the hen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 2, 2011 Share Posted August 2, 2011 I agree Check the ears for mites or discharge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted August 2, 2011 Share Posted August 2, 2011 twitching heads are often a sign of mites - ear mites or red mites usually Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rufusrooster Posted August 4, 2011 Author Share Posted August 4, 2011 thanks for advice guys but seems to have cleared up on its own, virtually no twitching now, very odd, maybe the weather and a lot of tiny midges about lately ? will keep monitoring anyway, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 I had one girl shaking her head the other week, it soon cleared so she must have just had something stuck in her throat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
