4 year old hybrid woke up with legs problems

[WendyA]

Morning!

Can anyone help me figure out what may be wrong with my 4 year old hybrid, Honey, please?

I've read this excellent guide but it doesn't seem to be any of these problems https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/leg-foot-and-toe-issues-in-poultry-of-all-ages

She couldn't stand up this morning and doesn't seem easily able to put all of her weight on either of her legs - although she is trying to stumble around - it's like she is a little drunk. Sometimes her toes are curled up under her feet but they are not hot or swollen.

She is alert, although a little more sleepy than normal for this time of day, and she isn't drinking or eating much (she's just started to have a little corn). Any one have any ideas?

We are trying to feed and water her and she is resting on a cushion in the house.

Thanks, Wendy

 

[Eggcessive]

Sorry about your hen. Have you added any new birds to your flock recently? She might have fallen and hurt her head or her legs, but with the curling feet, it might be a vitamin deficiency. Vitamins leech out of feed if it isn't used quickly, and in small flocks that might be a problem. I would either start some poultry vitamins in her water daily, give her 3 ml of Poultry Cell vitamins daily, or crush a vitamin B Complex tablet into her food or a treat every day. Yogurt or egg seem to be good for hiding medicines.Here is a link to read about riboflavin deficiency:
http://www.thepoultrysite.com/publications/6/diseases-of-poultry/217/vitamin-b2-deficiency/

 

[WendyA]

Thanks for your reply eggcessive. Two new chooks came around four months ago but they all seem to be getting on well at the moment so I don't think it is bullying or fall related. I use a vitamin tonic in their water most weeks but I am thinking as she's older than the other two her body may not be processing the vitamins properly. I'm swaying toward the fact she may have had a stroke though so we've booked into the vet this week to have her checked out. Wendy

 

[Eggcessive]

If your vet has any ideas, let us know. When knew birds are added, I just worry that they could have carried something into the flock. Do you know if she was vaccinated for Mareks disease? Mareks can cause paralysis of one or more legs or wings, and can cause wasting. Hopefully, it's not that.

 

[WendyA]

I will report back post visit to the vets (booked for Thurs as this is the earliest the avian vet can do), thanks Eggcessive. I don't think it's Mareks as they had a full vaccination programme from the farmer who bred them http://www.stagenhoe.co.uk/chicken-vaccination.php

 

[WendyA]

Hi Eggcessive. I'm sad to report Honey didn't make it - she got worse over the last few days and died this morning. We were booked to see the vet tomorrow, so didn't get to confirm if it was a stroke or not, but that's our guess based on lots of reading and following as much advice as we could. Thanks for your help earlier in the week. Wendy

 

[Eggcessive]

I'm sorry that you lost Honey. If you are in the US, you could send her off for a necropsy to the state vet or local poultry lab.. Take care.