Swaying hen?

crispyminstral

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Hi all I was wondering if someone here may be able to help me?

In September, our little Silkie bantam laid and reared 10 healthy Silkie x chicks. They have continued to grow and develop over the winter and after culling all but one of the cockerels (the one we kept went off to his new home two weeks ago), we are left with 5 hens. Up to this point they have all been healthy and we got our first egg on Tuesday, although from which hen I am not sure!

It was on Tuesday that I noticed that one of the hens was sitting more than the others, and when she goes to get up, sort of loses her balance almost tips over then regains herself and carries on as normal. Over the past couple of days this seems to have developed into a sort of head swaying action, just like Stevie Wonder does when he plays the organ! It sort of looks like a balance or hearing problem, and she does struggle to find her feet, although when you pick her up she has rigidity in her body and isn't as floppy as she looks!

Today I separated her from her sisters in a house and run with free range to food and water so I can keep an eye on how much she takes in. I was wondering if anyone on here may have an idea of what is wrong with her? I did a couple of searches and read about Mareks disease, but she's not one sided and she can stand and control her legs once she has found her balance, but she is at POL so seems the right age to be affected by it. I also read Silkies get water on the brain, but have no idea if that is common or can just affect one hen out of nowhere?

Any suggestions welcome, thanks :)
 
Hello, may well be mareks-some strains of silkie are very prone to it but i would suggest you take her to the vets for a proper diagnosis.
regards, David
 
We took her to the vets this morning. They think it unlikely to be Mareks as she has good function in her legs and her eye is perfect, but they can't rule it out as she is POL, female and has a funny neck action. They think earmites may be the cause so she has had a pipette of ivermectin on her neck and another 2 for 2 weeks time and 4 weeks time. I also have some Baytril antibiotics which she has to have twice a day via syringe, but she took it well this morning so just got to keep everything crossed now that it works!
 
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