21 Week old Hen having trouble standing/walking

[Shortsheet]

What have the other poops looking like? Black might be from eating dark greens, or from iron if rhere is any in her vitamins, or possibly blood in her GI tract. Not sure that I would suspect vent gleet from that, but not an expert. Because of walking on her hocks, I would make sure that she is getting riboflavin (vitamin B2.)

Hahaha..I realized right after I posted this that I had given her blackberries and thats why her poop was black. She had regular poops later that evening and since then..
I think the B Complex vitamin she's getting has B2 in it..but I will check to make sure!! Thank you for the help!! I'm really stumped with this girl.. She was Betty White but her name got changed to Necked Betty because the other 4 had feathered in and she was necked for so long..like over 3 months longer than the other 4. So I'm beginning to think she has something genetic wrong with her..to be a late bloomer (but first and only one laying eggs now) and now having issues walking..but then I think to myself that this all started a week after she started laying and right after laying an egg 2 days in a row. Which is why I'm confused and sad for her. Hopefully she will bounce back!

 

[Eggcessive]

Glad that her poops are more normal colored. Yes riboflavin is an ingredient of B Complex, and I would just crush part of a tablet over some egg and mix well. Beef liver has tons of B vitamins, and a small amount of ground liver would give her plenty. It doesn't require too much riboflavin, just some. Here is an article on B2 (riboflavin) deficiency:
http://www.thepoultrysite.com/publications/6/diseases-of-poultry/217/vitamin-b2-deficiency/

 

[Shortsheet]

Glad that her poops are more normal colored. Yes riboflavin is an ingredient of B Complex, and I would just crush part of a tablet over some egg and mix well. Beef liver has tons of B vitamins, and a small amount of ground liver would give her plenty. It doesn't require too much riboflavin, just some. Here is an article on B2 (riboflavin) deficiency:
http://www.thepoultrysite.com/publications/6/diseases-of-poultry/217/vitamin-b2-deficiency/

Oh great article!! Thank you and this does sound like what she has..we are on day 10 of her issues..but it went with her walking funny the day she laid an egg two days in a row to the next 3 days not being able to walk or stand, to a couple of days of walking on her elbows to now she stands and walks a couple of steps but then goes back down. I did check and she doesn't have any sores or wounds on her elbows. I have thought of making a sling to put her in for a couple of hours a day just to get her off of her elbows. Thanks again and I do have some beef liver I could cook and chop up, Do you think maybe a tablespoon of it every day would be ok?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I'm sure @Eggcessive will weigh in, but a Tablespoon of liver everyday sounds good to me.

I hope she gets better soon, thanks for the update.

 

[micstrachan]

Love the sling idea. Keep us posted!

 

[rebrascora]

No need to cook the liver. She should happily eat it raw. No stitching required for a sling either....

You can also clip margarine cartons onto the front of the box with clips to put food and water within her reach. The above photo doesn't show a poop hole cut into the sling for some reason, so do modify yours to accommodate that.
Good luck

Barbara

 

[Shortsheet]

No need to cook the liver. She should happily eat it raw. No stitching required for a sling either....
View attachment 1139000
You can also clip margarine cartons onto the front of the box with clips to put food and water within her reach. The above photo doesn't show a poop hole cut into the sling for some reason, so do modify yours to accommodate that.
Good luck

Barbara

Ok on the liver
So far the sling isn't working..she keeps getting out of it! And it's horrible trying to get her into it!

 

[ChickNanny13]

Try raising the sling so her feet barely touches the shavings. If she continues getting out of it, maybe skip it but do keep up with the vitamin treatment.

Shavings is cushy that if she continues to walk on her elbows she won't hurt herself. I'm thinking since she's trying to walk, possibly remove the shavings and give her "traction" flooring. I've used low pile carpeting, old towel (without strings), non-skid shelf liners, etc...

Keep us updated.

 

[rebrascora]

I agree, that if she is not happy in the sling, then don't force it. You need to keep her as happy and stress free as possible. You are aiming to make her comfortable not uncomfortable. If her mobility deteriorates, then be prepared to go back to the sling. I think a smaller box may be better.
Being suspended in a large void like the picture shows may be unsettling her. If the box she is suspended in in shallower and she can see over the top and feels more "contained" that may help. I'll see if I can find some other images that perhaps demonstrate that. A larger piece of fabric for the hammock may help if that is the only container you have, so the whole bin is covered, kind of like a trampoline, so she doesn't feel like she is suspended over a void.

 

[Shortsheet]

I agree, that if she is not happy in the sling, then don't force it. You need to keep her as happy and stress free as possible. You are aiming to make her comfortable not uncomfortable. If her mobility deteriorates, then be prepared to go back to the sling. I think a smaller box may be better.
Being suspended in a large void like the picture shows may be unsettling her. If the box she is suspended in in shallower and she can see over the top and feels more "contained" that may help. I'll see if I can find some other images that perhaps demonstrate that. A larger piece of fabric for the hammock may help if that is the only container you have, so the whole bin is covered, kind of like a trampoline, so she doesn't feel like she is suspended over a void.

Great advice! Thank you..when she's outside she is walking and scooting on plushy grass..and so far she has no wounds. I really want to keep trying the sling..because it gets her up and I'm able to easily massage and exercise her legs without her body weight on them. Just gotta figure out what makes her comfortable. I'll try a smaller box.