Chicken bald back

[catherinemorgan]

Our 5 and a half year old ex batt is not looking great and I would really appreciate any advice please. I have thought for the last few months her vision wasnt as great, and she tended to stand a bit huddled with her eyes closed more often but was also still scratching about, eating, drinking, pooping, not laying any more I dont think, except a very occasional large thin shelled egg.

2 weeks ago she seemed to have sour crop, squishy crop, smelly, when I helped her empty her crop there were tiny thread worms in the fluid, I had last wormed in November 2014, but brought her in, treated her with flubenvet and she seemed to pick up so I returned her to the coop but 3 days ago she wouldnt come downstairs to the run, when I lifted her out she cant balance, just tips forwards if she tries to stand up so lays flat, with her toes around a makeshift perch to keep her balance. She is still eating and drinking and alert. Brought her in again to check she is eating etc, her comb was a little blue round the edges but back to pale red now. But she still cant stand. Her feet and legs look fine, doesnt seem egg bound, poo normal, not obviously distressed but obviously not able to stand, I feel so sorry for her, Ive checked forums and thought maybe Mareks? Wondered if you had any thoughts or advice, would be much appreciated, thanks

[loumabel]

Hi, I had an ex batt that had a similar problem once and the vet told me she thought it was a stroke. She couldn't seem to focus properly and couldn't walk as her balance was off.

Have you got a chicken vet nearby you could take her too? I don't think this is something you could cure yourself.

Good luck with your girl x

[sparkysmum]

Hi catherinemorgan and welcome to the forum. I am sorry your first post is about an unwell hen but I am sure that you will get plenty of good advice here. My own thoughts are that she sounds very unwell and that a trip to the vets is in order. At over 5 yrs old she has done brilliantly and you must be a fabulous chicken keeper for her to have reached this age. However it does sound as if she needs veterinary attention and by not seeking help you might be prolonging her discomfort. Whilst no one likes to say goodbye to a much loved pet, sometimes it is the last kindness that we can do for our animals.

Do let us know how she gets on. Take care. Ax

[mullethunter]

Hi Catherinemorgan. I'm afraid I agree with Sparkysmum. That is an amazing age for an ex-batt - what a grand old lady! But this doesn't sound like something you'll be able to sort out on your own

[Olly]

I'm afraid I also agree with the above posts - 5.5 years is an amazing age for an ex-batt. What you are describing sounds like a neurological problem, I think that is much more likely than Mareks. I am going to be honest and say that I doubt there is much that a vet can do, but it definitely isn't something you can treat yourself.

[catherinemorgan]

Thank you everyone for your helpful suggestions and kind words. She is the last of our BHWT ex batts so I knew she was not going to live forever, all the other hens who have died have not needed 'assistance', but I will take her to the vets tomorrow. I dont think I would be able to do it myself having never killed any birds I would be scared it could go wrong:(

Thank you all again