The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: Barrett on October 18, 2011, 02:01:48 pm

Title: Chicken acting drunk
Post by: Barrett on October 18, 2011, 02:01:48 pm

Hi everyone, I went down to the coop last night to get my chickens in and saw one of my hens really unsteady on her feet and being a little fatty that is not unusual however, when she tried to put her head down she nearly fell over then shakes her head, not really sure what to do ???

Title: Re: Chicken acting drunk
Post by: tizaala on October 18, 2011, 03:31:41 pm

Could be dropsey ,

Title: Re: Chicken acting drunk
Post by: Sylvia on October 18, 2011, 05:37:34 pm

Or an inner ear infection?

Title: Re: Chicken acting drunk
Post by: Hopewell on October 18, 2011, 10:45:24 pm

Or she could actually be drunk if she has had access to over-ripe or rotting fruit.

Title: Re: Chicken acting drunk
Post by: northfifeduckling on October 19, 2011, 07:35:27 am

more likely that she is unwell rather than drunk from fruit.... I think we had posts on here describing similar symptoms a few months ago, worth scrolling back on the poultry section. Have you been worming the chooks lately? There is always one of mine that takes to Flubenvet that way. They usually recover after a few days. I hope yours will be fine soon! :chook: :&>

Title: Re: Chicken acting drunk
Post by: Barrett on October 19, 2011, 01:56:13 pm

HI guys, thanks for info she has never acted like this before when wormed her, she seems a bit better this morning and is still eating ok, I will just have to keep an eye on her I think.

Title: Re: Chicken acting drunk
Post by: Rosemary on October 20, 2011, 12:13:05 pm

Funny, we've got one like that. It's one of our youmg Black Rocks, just been wormed for the first time. She's not ill - seems bright, eating, drinking and laying, pooping normally but can't seem to stand up steadily.

Got her in the broody coop so she doesn't get bullied and feeding her corn, grit and poultry spice.

Title: Re: Chicken acting drunk
Post by: northfifeduckling on October 20, 2011, 12:19:21 pm

I just find it strange , this effect wormer has on some of them. Maybe it's a stomach ache when it does its job?  Or do they have too much of it in one go? :chook: :&>

Title: Re: Chicken acting drunk
Post by: Barrett on October 20, 2011, 12:54:45 pm

My vet advised me whole pot of wormer per 25k of layers pellets so they have a little of the wormer everyday until the bag runs out or you can buy a bag of pellets with the wormer in it.  She seems a lot purkier this morning though still wobbly on her feet, chickens are funny animals they can worry you sick then the next day just be normal again :chook:

Title: Re: Chicken acting drunk
Post by: daddymatty82 on October 20, 2011, 03:09:48 pm

could it be mereks? 2 went down with this at my mums and it was mereks got any pictures?