16 week old hen unable to walk

[Susiepantz]

can anyone help. our hen was not standing up straight one day. the next day she started falling over. now unable to stand at all. I have given her vitamin B and an antibiotic in her water. she eats well. It sounds like an injury to me.

 

[Eggcessive]

Welcome to BYC. Has she had a Mareks vaccine? Can she move both of her legs and wings? Will she move or curl her toes if you stroke them? Does she fall over when you stand her up, or does she use her wings to balance? Did she limp or drag a leg before not being able to stand? It could be an injury, but Mareks disease may be a possible cause. Many chickens with Mareks will lie with one leg forward, and one leg under or in back of them. There are other reasons for lameness than Mareks such as mycoplasma synoviae, viral arthritis, bone deformities that can cause destruction of the tendons, and others. Some vitamin and mineral deficiencies can cause lameness, also. Here are some links to read:
http://extension.unh.edu/resources/files/Resource000791_Rep813.pdf
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq
http://www.thepoultrysite.com/diseaseinfo/99/mycoplasma-synoviae-infection-ms-infectious-synovitis
http://www.merckmanuals.com/vet/pou..._poultry/vitamin_deficiencies_in_poultry.html
http://www.merckmanuals.com/vet/pou..._poultry/mineral_deficiencies_in_poultry.html

 

[Susiepantz]

thank you for your response. I read the links you suggested. It seems to me that she may have mareks. she does not move or curl her toes when stroked. She will only lay on her side and sometimes raises one of her wings when laying on the opposite side. I never noticed her limping or dragging a leg.

She is still eating and drinking well but still unable to stand. she scoots around a lot but unable to change positions from one side to another.

 

[casportpony]

thank you for your response. I read the links you suggested. It seems to me that she may have mareks. she does not move or curl her toes when stroked. She will only lay on her side and sometimes raises one of her wings when laying on the opposite side. I never noticed her limping or dragging a leg.

She is still eating and drinking well but still unable to stand. she scoots around a lot but unable to change positions from one side to another.

What does her poop look like?

-Kathy

 

[Susiepantz]

it had been brown but yesterday it was a little more on the green side. today its green and white, sometimes firm and sometimes not as firm.

 

[casportpony]

it had been brown but yesterday it was a little more on the green side. today its green and white, sometimes firm and sometimes not as firm.

Green can be a sign of infection, disease or starvation. Read this:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/805728/go-team-tube-feeding

-Kathy

 

[casportpony]

Can you post a picture of it?

-Kathy

 

[Eggcessive]

thank you for your response. I read the links you suggested. It seems to me that she may have mareks. she does not move or curl her toes when stroked. She will only lay on her side and sometimes raises one of her wings when laying on the opposite side. I never noticed her limping or dragging a leg.

She is still eating and drinking well but still unable to stand. she scoots around a lot but unable to change positions from one side to another.

You're welcome, and I'm sorry to hear that. Until you are sure about what she has and to keep her healthy, make sure her food and water are close to her to reach, and give her probiotics as well as vitamins in her food. There is a blood test available that can be done on blood drawn by your local vet, and sent to Texas A&M. It is around $30. Many people her on BYC have Mareks in the flock, There are a couple of ongoing threads where some of those discuss their birds, while new poel can discuss their symptoms, and get advice. the Mareks Faq in my previous link contains a lot of concise information. Here are are 3 links that include the PCR test for Mareks, and 2 ongoing threads:
http://tvmdl.tamu.edu/tests_service...ease-(PCR)&unit_id=1187&unit_effdt=2010-06-02
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/894589/moving-forward-breeding-for-resistance-to-mareks-disease
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/741957/not-an-emergency-mareks-in-the-flock

 

[Susiepantz]

im not very computer oriented but I can try if you can give me a few pointers how to do so.