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 Post subject: Help - sick hen with constant head flicking
PostPosted: Tue Sep 08, 2009 10:08 pm 
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Joined: Tue Sep 08, 2009 6:16 pm
Posts: 3
We have an older Isa Brown who is obviously unwell - her first symptoms were going off her food and becoming lethargic. Then her comb drooped and now she's developed a constant head flicking. Although she's an older hen and hasn't laid for some time she's been in great health until now.
Other information:
- she's not lost any weight (she's quite fat since she stopped laying!)
- she's still drinking water and a small amount of food
- her poop seems okay
- there are no other visible symptoms (no coughing, gaping, discharge) and she's been fully wormed and mite-treated very recently
- she sleeps in a sheltered coop, on straw with three other hens (which are all in good health)
- we had a stagnant pond in the back yard and I saw her drinking from this, rather than their clean water bowl (the pond has now been removed)
We've not taken any action except isolating her as we have no idea what the problem is, so don't know how to treat her. The head flicking must be a major clue but although I've searched for information have not been able to find anything that sheds any light.
Can anyone help as to what it may be? It's awful to see her in such a sorry state. Thanks.


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 Post subject: Re: Help - sick hen with constant head flicking
PostPosted: Thu Sep 10, 2009 11:30 am 
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Joined: Sun Feb 01, 2009 12:04 pm
Posts: 82
Location: Samford QLD
Hi there

I had an old chook do exactly this not very long ago - the thread is still on here. I had treated her for mites etc and wormed her and done all the right things but shortly after her head started twitching she fell off the perch and hurt her leg and I was forced to keep her in a little perchless cage for some time. On spending more time with her I realised that she did actually have mites crawling around her head. I didn't notice them until I gave her a thorough check over and she was covered with them. I immediately bathed her in Fidos Pyrethrin mite wash (Which I swear by as it is so good) - I washed right up to head making sure I didn't get it in her eyes/ears and then gave her a big dose of moxidectin directly applied to the skin on the back of the neck. Her twitching stopped immediately.

The other thing is she may have an ear infection which will prob only be cured with some antibiotic drops from the vet. I know it seems extreme to take a chook to the vets but I have always just swallowed the bullet and taken them and even though it has cost me I have never regretted their advice. However I would search your area for someone who knows what they are doing when it comes to poultry. My local vet had no idea and just prescribed me whatever I asked for based on advice I had received from this forum. I have since found an avian/poultry vet who is really good and find that I don't mind paying the fees to get the right answer.


Maisyfleur

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Ower of 1 hubby, 2 girls, 1 Bichon, 1 Persian, 4 Guinea pigs and 25 Chooks


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 Post subject: Re: Help - sick hen with constant head flicking
PostPosted: Thu Sep 10, 2009 12:41 pm 
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Joined: Tue Sep 08, 2009 6:16 pm
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Thanks so much for that advice. It's been such a worry. Did your hen also have the general symptoms of illness - not eating, fluffed up, keeping to herself, lethargic etc.? Can mites cause this?


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 Post subject: Re: Help - sick hen with constant head flicking
PostPosted: Thu Sep 10, 2009 1:19 pm 
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Joined: Sun Feb 01, 2009 12:04 pm
Posts: 82
Location: Samford QLD
She wasn't too bad - she was eating but I noticed she was keeping herself to herself as if the head twitching was really bothering her. If your chook has an infection in her ear then this would account for her feeling so unwell. So have a good look for any mites, bath and treat her ASAP. You can get this Fidos Mite wash from nearly all pet stores. It has pyrethrin in it so is very safe to use. It kills the mites straight away. Failing this unfort a vet trip may be your only option to get some antibiotics.

Best of luck - would love to hear how you get on.

Maisyfleur

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Ower of 1 hubby, 2 girls, 1 Bichon, 1 Persian, 4 Guinea pigs and 25 Chooks


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 Post subject: Re: Help - sick hen with constant head flicking
PostPosted: Sun Sep 13, 2009 9:14 pm 
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Joined: Tue Sep 08, 2009 6:16 pm
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Thanks. She's definitely still unwell so we'll try Fidos Mite wash and hope for the best:-)


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 Post subject: Re: Help - sick hen with constant head flicking
PostPosted: Wed Apr 28, 2010 2:01 pm 
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Joined: Sun Feb 14, 2010 8:07 am
Posts: 39
Hi there, I know this is an old topic, but I was wondering how you got on with your hen that was constantly head flicking, as I have had two hens die with the same problem, and another one who is still interacting with the flock and eating, drinking, is doing the same thing. I have tried dusting her head with mite dust but she's still doing it...


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