5 month old Wynadotte hen can't walk or stand...suggestions please

[gurlgonfishin]

A week ago I noticed one of my hens just sitting on the ground, not moving. I brought her in the house to get a better look...she cant stand on her feet. Her toes won't curl(like when they hold the roost) and when I try to move the legs they feel very stiff. I have kept her inside since I discovered her not walking. She eats, drinks, clucks, and even tries to get around. Her feet almost resemble an animal or human with neurological problems (turning up & out) She has been down long enough to now have pressure sores on her joints. I'm at a loss. I have searched and read everything I can find. Nothing seems to be helping. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

 

[soler]

It sounds like you checked that she doesn't have an actual physical injury like a dislocation or she is swollen around the hock?

Was she vaccinated for marek's disease? She is in that tricky range when marek's can show up.

I just had a similar experience with a 2 month old chick. I couldn't work it out until i had the poop tested ($25) at a vet and she came back positive for cocci and roundworms (she had none of the classic symptoms of either).

I have read that mites and lice can sometimes cause similar issues, as well as feed that has bad nutritional values (causing nutrients deficiency), also algae in the water (check and clean the waterer, add some apple cider vinegar, unprocessed, 1tbsp per gallon), spoiled feed (maybe water got in it?), spider bites, toxic plants. I don't think it's botulism if she is still eating and drinking. But is she eating enough? check that her crop is filling.

i would start her on vitamin B, E, selenium, and a general vitamin right away (no iron, i like nutridrench, or the baby vitamins like poli-vi-sol), look for skin parasites, and also get her poop tested, so you can at least locate or narrow down the options. If you see parasites that are obvious on the skin, and you have some frontline handy, 3-4 drops would be a quick way to get them shed quickly. This can be a bit of a discussion, but it does work, and will bring full relief within 24 hours. Dog or cat kind both work.

you could also wrap the sore areas with some gauze and vet wrap so they don't open up into wounds.

 

[gurlgonfishin]

Thank you very much. There is no sign of physical injury, no mites, or lice. She was vaccinated. She was hatched & raised for the first ten days by the most careful thorough hobby hatcher I have ever met. I have had the 11 birds since day 11. I currently get their feed from Tractor Supply. I did wonder about the feed since this issue did occur shortly after switching them to their laying feed. But again, she is the only one with the issue. I will follow the additives you've suggested & I will call the vet tomorrow. I believe she is eating enough. She has her feed, the kids bring her clippings from our garden daily & they give her scratch each evening. If she makes it through this ordeal she will never want to return to the coop! She is even getting a "bath" daily to keep her bottom clean. Thank you again for your knowledge. It is very much appreciated.

 

[soler]

if you suspect she might have eaten something bad, some recommend flushing her with either epsom salts and water or molasses and water, see this page

http://ultimatefowl.wordpress.com/2008/11/23/natural-organic-cures-and-remedies-for-poultry/

it has flushes near the bottom, and a nice list of diseases and symptoms too.

Is there a chance she might be egg bound? can you feel a mass in her abdomen or near the vent?

I really hope it resolves!