5 month old pullet limping for one week now a second one started limping too. Help!

[tvlgal85]

I had the same issue with one of my roosters. It turned out to be mites. They are really hard to see but if you handle them and then notice a red itchy spot on you, then it may be mites. That's how I figured out what was wrong with my guy. Take a close look at their house and bedding. I had to use Seven powder to get rid of mine. It can be quite debilitating.

 

[BigECarter]

With the improvement of your pullet, it doesn't sound like Marek's but I thought I would share my experience anyways. My first flock of nine were vaccinated but I still lost 7. Either the breeder lied when he said they had been vaccinated, or he mishandled the vaccine and they were not properly vaccinated, or my flock was exposed to a vaccine resistant strain of Marek's.

 

[Baileyje]

I've been researching scaly leg mites and that could be a possibility. If so, it's an early as I'm only seeing a few small areas that might be raised or irritated scales. I wouldn't think a small infestation would cause lameness, but I really have no idea. She is standing on that leg more and more, but then spends most her time sitting on her hocks. We have a chicken vet in town who just got back to work today after being off for months due to her own surgery. Would you all recommend having my chicken seen or keep watching her. It's been ten days now.

BigECarter- thanks for the information. I'm sorry you lost so many to Merecks. I had no idea when I decided to have backyard chickens that I'd need a veterinary degree!!

 

[Eggcessive]

If you can go to a chicken vet I would. Sitting on the hocks can be a sign of viral arthritis/tenosynovitis and mycoplasma synoviae, I believe. Also, Mareks too, I think. Make a list of all symptoms over the last 10 days to take to your vet.

 

[Baileyje]

Thank you. I have an appointment scheduled for Saturday morning. I'll do some research on mycoplasma synoviae and viral arthritis.