4 month old pullet uncoordinated and constant poopy butt

[LolaMama]

Hi all,

(Disclaimer: this is my first flock ) I finally got a video that shows how my 4 month old white legbar wobbles around like she just put on 5 inch heels. She’s been doing this for a good month and I’ve been closely watching her. Her butt is constantly gross too, but none of my other 3 pullets (same age) have this problem. Pearl is the lowest on the totem because she can’t get around as quickly as the others, but they don’t bully her at all. She prefers to sit after a few minutes of free ranging around the yard which we do a few times a day for a bit. I feel like I’ve got their feed and water on a good system, give them Rooster Booster also as it’s hot here. A variety of fruits and veggies and chook-friendly plants and herbs. I got her from a legbar breeder in my state at 2 months old along with the Swedish Flower. I do not believe she was vaccinated but I did and still do have them on medicated chick starter mixed 50/50 with 16% organic layer pellets. She seems fine aside from the clumsiness and poopy butt feathers...eats and drinks plenty, seems generally content. I give her a bath about once a week and she loves it. She isn’t getting progressively worse and she does have occasional camel-brown colored poo but clearly it’s the runny one I find amongst the run. The other 3 have the good poos that are easy to clean up and a clean butt. I don’t know, maybe she is just the village idiot? Advice welcome, thank you!

 

[Eggcessive]

They should not be on layer feed at that age. Chick starter/grower is better for them until they are laying, usaully after 5 months old. Many use an all flock or Flock Raiser food for a flock of mixed ages, and that is similar to grower feed. Layer has 4 times the calcium that the others have, and that can be harmful to kidneys in non-layers.

In the video, she really is having trouble with her left leg. Does it seem asleep or numb, and is she moving her toes? Do you see any evidence of an injury, such as a swollen joint, bumblefoot, or redness/green bruising? She is very meek, and I would make sure that she is getting enough to eat, maybe take her aside and give some scrambled chopped egg, tuna, or some wet chick feed.

It is possible that she might have Mareks disease, but hard to know at this point. Here is some reading about the 4 types of Mareks and the different symptoms:
https://extension.umd.edu/sites/ext...Preventing Mareks Disease in Small Flocks.pdf

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq.66077/

 

[LolaMama]

They should not be on layer feed at that age. Chick starter/grower is better for them until they are laying, usaully after 5 months old. Many use an all flock or Flock Raiser food for a flock of mixed ages, and that is similar to grower feed. Layer has 4 times the calcium that the others have, and that can be harmful to kidneys in non-layers.

In the video, she really is having trouble with her left leg. Does it seem asleep or numb, and is she moving her toes? Do you see any evidence of an injury, such as a swollen joint, bumblefoot, or redness/green bruising? She is very meek, and I would make sure that she is getting enough to eat, maybe take her aside and give some scrambled chopped egg, tuna, or some wet chick feed.

It is possible that she might have Mareks disease, but hard to know at this point. Here is some reading about the 4 types of Mareks and the different symptoms:
https://extension.umd.edu/sites/extension.umd.edu/files/_docs/programs/poultry/FS-1007 Recognizing and Preventing Mareks Disease in Small Flocks.pdf

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq.66077/

Thank you for your reply! She has no apparent injuries or anything on her body at all...I inspect her when she gets a bath. I will switch back to the starter/grower, thank you for that info!

I was worried about Marek’s too but she definitely gets up and about and goes with the flock, albeit behind them. I have several feeders so she always has access and the other girls really don’t try to hinder her. It’s as if they know she won’t be a challenge so they don’t bully her.

I will bring her in and do some special food today after she gets a buttwash!

 

[Eggcessive]

Since she has runny poops, I would consider using some Corid in the water to treat for possible coccidiosis. Chickens with Mareks can sometimes have low immunity to common chickens diseases.