4-year-old hen looking poorly, legs splayed behind body

[Rusnakes]

Greetings all,

Our hen is having some issues that I can't quite pinpoint for support and treatment. She started looking poorly about a week ago (comb drooped over and less active). She still kept up with the other chickens until yesterday, when my daughter found her in the coop with her legs splayed behind her. We could see no evidence of injury, but she did squawk at us if we handled her too much.

She got up and around yesterday afternoon and was "okay-ish" by bedtime. This morning, we found her in the coop again on the ground splayed. Poop is on her butt, but mostly because I think she can't get around.

I brought her in today and just knew she was a goner. She was breathing rather shallowly. Still this evening, she is still shallow breathing and still lying with her legs behind her. She is responsive (will open her eyes to see who is around), but that is about it (unless you touch her and she will squawk again at you).

I would think something like Marek's, but she is not a young bird and was vaccinated at the hatchery. I saw something on kinky back, but not sure if it is that either. I really just have no clue at this point.

Any thoughts?

 

[Lady of McCamley]

Did you check her for egg binding? That can sometimes cause paralysis of the legs depending upon where the egg is putting pressure.

Egg binding happens more frequently as hens age.

Marek's is still a possibility, and the vaccination doesn't prevent the disease, just the tumors from growing of the most common strains. It is possible she has held it at bay over the years, and as she aged, it has caught up with her.

Botulism poisoning can cause paralysis as well. Look for moldy or stinky feed.

My thoughts. Sorry to hear your hen isn't doing well.
LofMc