Twitching Head

maisyfleur · **Posted:** Sat May 09, 2009 2:45 pm

I have an old araucana/faverolle. Not sure of her age as she was given to me some months ago. Noticed a day or so ago that her head was twitching every now and again. Today it is much worse twitching every few seconds. She otherwise seems quite normal from what I can tell. Will have to isolate her in my only spare coop anhd see if I can monitor any other symptons. Have done a search on this forum to no avail. Has anyone any idea what is wrong with her. Poor little thing is trying to have an afternoon nap and her head is still twitching.

Ideas please

Thanks
Maisyfleur

Lolpigs · **Posted:** Sun May 10, 2009 10:29 am

Hi Maisy

No I'm not sure I'm sorry. I'm sure someone here will know. I've only seen it as a sign of mites where they were crawling up onto the chickens head and face and irritating her.

I hope she is ok, and someone can help out

L

b&p · **Posted:** Sun May 10, 2009 10:32 am

I would suggest mites as well.Could also be some sort of "ear" infection.Have a looksy and see if that area has anything in it.

maisyfleur · **Posted:** Mon May 11, 2009 11:39 am

Good idea - will have a look for any infection. Poor thing isn't going too well she seems to have a bad leg aswell. However if she does have an ear infection it is perhaps effecting her balance. I will put her on a course of antibitotics and see how she goes. I have treated her with moxidectin drops on her neck so she shouldn't have mites and I cannot see anything crawling around that area.

Thanks for the advice will let you know how she goes.

Maisyfleur

oozcorpse · **Joined:** Sun Nov 04, 2007 8:15 am **Posts:** 2715

there are grey mites so small they can not be seen properly by the naked eye
they infest the nasal cavity predominantly but also the ears and usually cause inflammation/infection
if there is any nasal discharge this should confirm these mites as the mucous membrane is irritated by them and they tend to get a runny nose
I only know of these mites via overseas books I read some years ago - you may have to consult an avian vet for meds to control the mites and any infection and keep up the current regime as well

any pest control should help - moxidectin as you have stated you use - or Cydectin or Ivemectin or you can try Frontline = a number of pplz have started to use this and it has apparently shown to be effective in parastie control as well. I find Cydectin cheaper for me as I buy it in bulk for the cattle

maisyfleur · **Posted:** Wed May 13, 2009 8:20 am

Not sure what it was but the baytril seems to have worked. Her legs seem very stiff like she has arthritis or something. She's not limping just stiff from looking at her.

I believe she is quite old I think the lady said she would have been about 4 yrs plus. Do old chickens tend to get stiff in the winter? Is there anything I can give her? My husband takes Glucosamine tablets for his stiff joints - can you give these sorts of tablets to chickens??????

Lolpigs · **Posted:** Wed May 13, 2009 9:51 pm

Hmm I'm not sure about those tablets hopefully someone will help.

I had older hens with arthritis before, but never at 4 years.

Hopefully someone will be able to help, glad to hear the Baytril worked

oozcorpse · **Joined:** Sun Nov 04, 2007 8:15 am **Posts:** 2715

glad the baytril worked it must be a relief that any mites are gone

Glucosamine = honestly wouldn’t have a clue if chooks can have it I have never even thought abt that!! And would recommend consulting with an Avian Vet before using them

we have some old birds here ranging from 9 to soon to turn 15 [rarity this one] and none display arthritis but the oldest ones 12 & 15 do get a bit stiff intense cold - they tend to live in the shed near the house in Winter it is insulated and they know it is warmer there

I cant advise re the stiffness other than to say if you are concerned have a Vet look at her

is she still eating and drinking well?? and her weight still good?? are her poops still normal looking?? does she walk normally by this = without limping??

if you take her to the Vet = write down everything you have noticed abt her and what you feed her etc as this will help the Vet in the diagnosis

does the person you got her from know if she was vaccinated and if so what for??

just thinking of possibilities here

of course if you are happy with her progress with the current treatment don’t rush to the Vets as you would need to take her to an Avian Vet anyway = most have little experience with poultry

maisyfleur · **Posted:** Thu May 14, 2009 2:59 pm

Other than the awkward walking she appears quite normal - eating and drinking and pooing all good. I notice when she tries to scratch the ground she wobbles a bit.

One leg appears to be worse than the other occasionally I see her fall back on the leg like it has given way from under her.

I have ordered some cages from ebay that should be here hopefully for the weekend - I am going to isolate her and make sure she rests it in case she has landed awkwardly off the perch and that it is just tissue damage. I only have one spare coop and I have two newbies in there that need to eat grower so I cannot take them out.

Last resort I will take her to Ron Woodhead at Ashgrove and see what he says.

Maisyfleur

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