[Poolfield2]

My beloved Winnie "the best broody 2008" is poorly, she has tended to fall over if she gets knocked by an enthusiastic youngster on the way out of the pophole. This morning she couldn't get up again, I've put her in a separate box with water and grain and fresh bedding and I keep helping her up but her left side doesn't seem to have any strength. 

[Kate and her Ducks]

I'm sure that a chicken can have a stroke (we had a cat that had one) but I wonder if there could be something else going on. As you know I'm not a chicken person but it sounds a bit like the symptoms people have described with Mereks disease which affects their nervous system. Has she been immunised against this?

Hopefully someone more knowledgable will be along soon.

[Exbattmad]

Sorry your girl is poorly.
Yes hens can have strokes and the symptoms you describe fit with a stroke.
I have had a dear ex batt who had one who was in a pityful state after rescue, she was the size of a pigeon.
She had a stroke in the middle of the night and i had to get my friend to dispatch her to put her out of her suffering
She made the most awful noise, she woke me up, she was downstairs in my kitchen in her nestbox and i was upstairs in bed.
Other people who have had hens with a stroke have found that the hen can turn around in circles with the beak to the ground.
I would suggest that you see how she goes.
Does she seem to be in any pain at all, with her eyes closed and looking pale?

[Poolfield2]

Apart from the fact she has limited movement in one side she seems well, her comb and wattles are deep red and she laid an egg just before she went over. Her eyes are still bright but I think if she can't get up today we will have to do the deed, I've never done it and don't want to!

I've just looked up Marek's disease and that seems to be more likely in younger birds she is nearly 5 years old and no eye probs so more likely a stroke

[Exbattmad]

Bless her
She could have a trapped nerve which will also effect her balance. Of course it is your decision with your girl but she may just need a bit of time.
The fact that she has laid today and her comb and wattles are red really is a good sign.
Usually with stroke they go very pale and listless and look miserable.
If she isnt suffering other than her mobility i would give her a few more days as she may just surprise you.

[Poolfield2]

I decided to give her one more day but she died in the night, she really was the most beautiful chicken I've ever seen and such a good mother, I will really miss her. RIP Winnie.

[Kate and her Ducks]

I'm so sorry to hear that Poolfield. Sending you a big hug.

[peapod]

So sorry Poolfield

Paula
xxxx

[chickenlady]

  so sorry poolfield, she had a long and wonderful life with you  sending big hugs xxx

[Exbattmad]

So sorry, sleep well winnie xx

[chooknewbie]

sending hugs from Doncaster....

at least she had a dignified death and didnt have to put you through the distress of dispatching a much loved lady...

God bless

[smiler43]

Sorry to hear that *BIG HUGS*

[andreadon]

i'm sorry.

hopefully, she'll meet up with sandra in heaven and they can have a chickeny time together.

xx

[Poolfield2]

i'm sorry.

hopefully, she'll meet up with sandra in heaven and they can have a chickeny time together.

xx

  there must be a huge chicken heaven and I love the idea of all the girls we have lost between us having a chicken party will the nibbles be worm flavoured? I bet there will be popcorn.

Thanks for that, it's cheered me up

[karlooben]

i am wandering if thats what has happened to one of my girls  i did mention in another post that she has scaley legs an i thought that mite  be making things painfull for her but i have checked her this morning an she really cant walk an the toes are bent in , she kinda shuffles along but shes eating .

there is someone coming down the site today who knows how to kill birds so i may just have to get him to do it for me  thing is with this bird i got her last august from the rescue centre when i picked up my ex batts an there was 2 that were in really really great health and i am sure the guy said not those 2 { 2 birds that i assume were residents } but as he was new there he said oh ok dont worry as they were already in the box so i dont know how old she is anyway , 1 of the 2 died in the winter so for all i know they could be old birds .

p.s so sorry for the lose of your girl  sending ya hugs