botulism

My Top Hen Collapsed Overnight and I'm Clucking Worried

There's something uniquely heartbreaking about finding one of your top hens down in the run, especially when she's usually the one ruling the roost. This four-year-old's sudden turn is a real head-scratcher, and I'm right there with you on the guessing game. The overly red comb, the panting on a mild day, those curled toes, and that odd beak chomping all point to something neurological, but her quick improvement is the silver lining here. It's cluck-tastic that she's already perking up and eating on her own. You've done your due diligence ruling out Marek's and egg binding, so botulism or a vitamin gap feels spot-on for now. Keep up the syringe feeding and TLC, and maybe add a little electrolyte boost to her water.