Adult Hen and Possible Vitamin B Deficiency

[kkcleek]

Last Wednesday, my husband noticed our 16 month old Australorp hen limping on her right leg. On Thursday morning, I found her, away from the rest of the girls in a corner with her head down. It's been pretty hot here and I thought it might be heat exhaustion (we've been running a mister, a fan, using shade cloth over their area, allowing them to free range, putting out ice bottles, wallows, etc). I brought her in the house and started researching here for something that sounded similar to her condition. I found a thread about a rooster that exhibited exactly the same symptoms as Olivia. The poster put her rooster on an intensive Vitamin B routine and within five or so days, he was back to normal. We did the same for Olivia and she is bouncing back, with the exception of the right leg which she walks on but picks up very high before she steps down on it (looks a bit like a pegleg pirate). Has anyone had a smilar experience? Any ideas on what to do? Thanks so much, Karen

 

[kkcleek]

Perhaps I worded the subject line incorrectly. My Hen is Walking Strangely. When she walks, she picks her right leg up really high before setting it down, then leans back on her "elbow" before picking it up really high again, and so forth. We've been giving her super b and had her in the house since last thursday. She is, otherwise, acting just fine.

Anyone have any answers, suggestions or help?

Thanks again!
-karen

 

[seminolewind]

Sounds weird. Sounds like something with the nerves. As long as she looks good and eats and drinks, it may not be a problem.

 

[kkcleek]

It could be nerve damage I suppose. She's just been perfectly wonderful until last Thursday, no signs of anything before then. She was lsying like a champ as well. Is there anything else I can do or give her to help her get back on her foot?

 

[realsis]

If it was a vitamin defiency sometimes with defiency it can take some time to heal. You can try to continue the vitamin then see if it helps bring her back to normal. I wish you the best and hope this helps.

 

[kkcleek]

realsis, thank you so much. This morning she seems to have lost the use of the right led again. Are there any additional vitamins or antibiotics I should give her?

 

[realsis]

Have you tried riboflavin supplement? lack of riboflavin can cause those symptoms and curled toes. You can try the vitamins and riboflavin and see if it helps her. If the vitamins do not help it could be something more serious. I'd give the riboflavin supplement a try and if there is not an improvement we should look at other possibilities for her symptoms
Defiencies can take some time to heal
In my own flock my bird had a E defiency.it took 3 1/2 weeks of supportive therapy before she was healed. I do wish you the best and hopefully this will help her. If not there could be a more serious reason for her symptoms. Give this a try and keep us posted please. God bless.

 

[kkcleek]

realsis, started the riboflavin yesterday along with the b. i also got some vitamin e pearls. how much did you give your chicken? since the vitamin e is not an adipose tissue vitamin, i would imagine too much could more damage than good. she's still hanging in there and when we took her out this morning to visit with the other girlies and have some watermelon, she scooted herself quickly a few feet to the watermelon. her right leg is still not showing much improvement but she's definitely alert, eating well and pooping like a pro. she's currently sitting in a laundry basket next to me taking a nap. thank you again! -karen