migsy Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 I have not made many posts on here recently but I'm wondering if anyone has any idea what might be wrong with my Light Sussex. She is about 2.5 years old and has spent the last week in the nest box so I assumed she was broody as she has been broody before. I thought no more of it as she popped out every so often for treats and I didn't notice anything untoward. However, yesterday afternoon I noticed her sitting under the field shelter next to the food. I thought this was a little unusual and when I went back later at night she was still there but now her head was twitching uncontrollably and her wing twitched a little too. This morning she was still there but she has stopped twitching. I picked her up and her crop seemed fairly empty. Her feet were tightly curled up and she felt floppy. She managed to stand up but flopped down after a few steps. Her poo is clear and watery. I have isolated her from the other chickens but she has not moved and remains in her flopped down position but with her head up. She is alert and looking around. I'd be grateful for any ideas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweety Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 It could be neurological, or perhaps a stroke/brain tumour. I would recommend a trip to the vet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JS1 Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 Is she feeling thin (you said crop was empty)? Has she been wormed recently? I only ask because one of mine was ill last month and it appeared neurological (went to vet and got antibiotics and no clear diagnosis) but I suspect (after mega-Googling!) that it could have been a parasite overload putting pressure on my girl's central nervous system. I'm really no expert at all, but decided to worm them a month early, and that really seemed to benefit her. She's fine now, bless her. Good luck with your girl - I'd second the suggestion to take her to the vet asap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
migsy Posted June 20, 2012 Author Share Posted June 20, 2012 Thanks for the advice. She became noticeably ill a day after I started treatment with Flubenvet but I have used this before so I don't think it is connected. I doubt she has eaten the food with the worming powder in it TBH as her crop was not full. She is feeling thin but she felt/looked OK last week. I hadn't considered a parasite overload. Yes, I think a trip to the vet is in order. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JS1 Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 Good luck - hope it goes well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
migsy Posted June 23, 2012 Author Share Posted June 23, 2012 Well, she has spent 3 days in the shed on worming treatment. She did not eat or drink for the first day but the last 2 days she has eaten and drunk more and more. She came out tonight and wondered around the garden! She came running for a small treat!!! She could hardly walk 3 days ago and was in really poor condition. I cannot believe the transformation. She is a little unsteady on her feet but you would have to watch to notice. She has made her way back to the coop for the night. So glad I did not have her pts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egghead68 Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 Fantastic news!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
migsy Posted June 24, 2012 Author Share Posted June 24, 2012 She has been wondering and pecking around the garden again today. She is a bit detached from the others and is slightly shaky on her feet but I am amazed at her recovery. She was a floppy, twitching, immobile mess a few days ago. I put her in the shed with food and water which she ignored for the first day and I expected her to die. Now she seems 90% recovered. Bizarre! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
migsy Posted July 12, 2012 Author Share Posted July 12, 2012 I noticed today (and this was not the case a couple of days ago) that her feet are really swollen and red. I have checked the bottom of her feet and they look fine (no injuries, scabs, cuts etc). I am wondering if she has scaley leg although I have seen pictures of this online and her feet look very smooth unlike the images I have viewed. She is walking OK. Any ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
