Backyard Fowl Keepers

Hey everyone,

I need some help! Tonight, when I went to close up the coop, I found one of my hens by the door, not moving, with her wings slightly spread out. At first, I feared the worstmaybe an attackbut thankfully, she was still alive.

When I picked her up and placed her on the roosting bars, she lost her balance and fell off. Ive since moved her to a safe spot with water mixed with chicken vitamins and electrolytes. I checked her over thoroughly, and there are no visible injuries. Whats odd is that she was completely fine all day, acting normal, until it was time to settle in for the night.

One concern is that her mother had a history of being egg-bound, so I know she could be at higher risk for the same issue. I plan to soak her and check for any signs of that, just in case.

Has anyone dealt with something like this before? Id really appreciate any advice. Thanks in advance!

If you havent already, try isolating her in a quiet, dimly lit area. Less stress can help her recover while you figure out whats going on.

Could it be heat exhaustion? Even if it wasn't too hot today, high humidity can cause dehydration. You're doing the right thing by offering electrolytes-keep her hydrated and monitor closely.

This could be a vitamin deficiency. Sometimes, a lack of vitamin E or selenium causes neurological symptoms. You might try adding a little poultry vitamin supplement to her water for extra support.

How old is she? If she's on the older side, it could be the early stages of organ failure. Sometimes chickens just weaken suddenly without clear symptoms.

It sounds like she could be egg-bound, especially with a family history of it. A warm soak and some gentle massage around the abdomen might help. Keep an eye on her droppings too-if she's straining or you notice a lack of them, that could confirm it.

I'd also consider worms or parasites. A heavy parasite load can cause sudden weakness. Has she been dewormed recently? If not, that might be worth looking into.

You might want to feel along her legs and joints to see if there's any swelling or tenderness. A leg injury that isn't visible could be making it hard for her to balance.

Have you noticed any respiratory symptoms? Lethargy with no external injuries can sometimes point to a respiratory infection brewing. Listen for wheezing or sneezing.

Have you checked for signs of poisoning? If she foraged something toxic, that could explain the sudden weakness. Try offering activated charcoal if you suspect that might be the case.