Hens + Honey Posted October 21, 2011 Share Posted October 21, 2011 We have 20 chickens (6 tinted tetras that are just shy of 6 months old and have been laying for about 4 weeks - With No Issues) We also have 14 assorted chickens that are 13 weeks old (perhaps 1 rooster). We just merged all 20 chickens together 2 weeks ago. This process went awsome. The 6 tetras had an attitude for about 4 days in which they kept the others cornered. The "Corner" was supplied with tree branches (mild barrier), food and water. They are all now in and out of the coop within a fenced in area. My family and I have watched for hours to be sure there was "Ooops, word censored!"ody that was singled out or prevented from getting food/water. Yesterday my daughter went out to sit with chickens and collect the eggs - when the smallest chicken in size (13 week ancona) went lifeless, fell off a perch in which my daughter tried to catch her but she hit the ground with no response. My daughter brought the lifeless chicken inside to my husband, and within a few minutes she blinked her eyes, lifted her head, seemed a bit dazed, and got back up on her feet, had labored breathing for a few minutes and then seemed fine. After an hour or so of keeping an eye on her she seemed perfect so they returned her to the coop. I got home about 5:30 and checked her- she looked perfect - running around, eating, drinking, flew up to the highest perch - Fine. ****Although I had and interesting find ------WE HAD 7 EGGS!!! HMMM (7 NORMAL EGGS- NOT 6 - COULD THE SMALLEST CHICKEN HAVE LAYED HER FIRST EGG AT 13 WEEKS AND TOTALLY STRESSED ENOUGH TO CAUSE SHOCK? Checked her every 1/2 hour- still perfect. At 9:00pm she was perched up high with several other hens - still perfect. At 7:00am I went out to check the hens and let them out - She was lifeless on the floor, belly up, legs out straight, head fallen to the side. Picked her up, still a faint heart beat, now 9:00am she is lively, inside the house, eating/drinking, chirping, HELP???? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweety Posted October 21, 2011 Share Posted October 21, 2011 I have never heard anything like this before! I was going to suggest that she may have had a stroke or a brain tumour, but that can't be the case if she is running around normally now. I wonder if chickens can suffer from epilepsy, blackouts or something similar? I would be tempted to take her to a vet to have her checked over. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted October 21, 2011 Share Posted October 21, 2011 Welcome to the forum . What a strange set of events . I'm at a loss to explain it either . I hope you manage to get to the bottom of it, it must be a worry expecting her to conk out at any moment . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 21, 2011 Share Posted October 21, 2011 Sounds like it might be some sort of seizure; I'd take her to the vet to get it checked out. If she seems otherwise happy and there's no cure then I'd be inclined to leave her to get on with life for the time being. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted October 22, 2011 Share Posted October 22, 2011 Does anything trigger the 'turns', such as sudden noise? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
House MD 221B Posted November 20, 2011 Share Posted November 20, 2011 If it is due to loud noises, it could be myotonia congenita, I don't know if it can affect chickens, but It's been seen in kittens, not just in Goats, as it's nicknamed "Fainting Goat" syndrome. I wouldn't know much more about it than that, but if in doubt, I'd take her to the Vets. I hope you get an answer though, all the best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
