Buff Orpington Can’t walk without help of wings

[billyboy123]

Hello everyone, long time no see. I came back from being out of town for three days today. My Buff Orpington cant walk without extending her wings out for balance. Her feet are straight but it appears to be an issue with her legs. She is 3.5 years old and we get an occasional egg from her. She was healthy and at the top of the pecking order when I went out of town. Her poop is a little runny but normal. We have 3 other hens and they all appear to be healthy and normal. The Buff Orpington has been sitting down until I approach her and she waddles off. I have not picked her up because I don’t want to further hurt her or stress her out. Anyone know what’s going on?

 

[billyboy123]

Just went and looked again and she does have a messy butt. And seemed to be pooping when I put the hens back in the run from free ranging.

 

[Eggcessive]

First, I would rule out egg binding by inserting a finger into her vent one inch. It should just feel soft normally. Older hens can suffer from egg yolk peritonitis or internal laying, and may not be able to get around well. I would look her over for any swelling of her joints, bruising, or or signs of an injury. Have you added any new birds in the last few months?

 

[billyboy123]

First, I would rule out egg binding by inserting a finger into her vent one inch. It should just feel soft normally. Older hens can suffer from egg yolk peritonitis or internal laying, and may not be able to get around well. I would look her over for any swelling of her joints, bruising, or or signs of an injury. Have you added any new birds in the last few months?

We added two new hens say around 6+ months ago. And I will rule out egg binding tomorrow.

 

[Eggcessive]

She probably cannot roost tonight if she can’t walk. When one suddenly goes lame, we sometimes think of Mareks as a possibility. If new birds come into a flock who have been exposed to Mareks in a former flock, they can carry it to new birds. Symptoms can show up 3 weeks or more after being exposed.

Usually hens with internal laying problems can stand and walk some, but may use their wings to help get around. This sounds more like what is going on. If one becomes egg bound, their sometimes can be a temporary paralysis in the legs. It would be good to know if she is moving her legs in the morning. If she is able to walk some, I would see if she waddles or walks more upright.

 

[billyboy123]

She probably cannot roost tonight if she can’t walk. When one suddenly goes lame, we sometimes think of Mareks as a possibility. If new birds come into a flock who have been exposed to Mareks in a former flock, they can carry it to new birds. Symptoms can show up 3 weeks or more after being exposed.

Usually hens with internal laying problems can stand and walk some, but may use their wings to help get around. This sounds more like what is going on. If one becomes egg bound, their sometimes can be a temporary paralysis in the legs. It would be good to know if she is moving her legs in the morning. If she is able to walk some, I would see if she waddles or walks more upright.

She can walk, just not without stumbling and sticking her wings out for balance. She made it through the night sleeping in the egg box.

 

[billyboy123]

Ok, she is egg bound. Checked her earlier this afternoon, found out she is. I already soaked her in a warm salty bath. What comes next. I feel one egg in there although there might be two. Please help!!!

 

[Eggcessive]

You need to give her some calcium, either a Caltrate tablet (human calcium tablet) or a Tums. If you have neither of those, grind an egg shell, and mix it with a small amount of scrambled egg, and feed it to her. Also get her to drink some water, and you could drip some on the chopped egg. If she seems well enough, place her in a warm bath for 20 minutes, and try to get her to relax. Let us know what happens.

 

[billyboy123]

You need to give her some calcium, either a Caltrate tablet (human calcium tablet) or a Tums. If you have neither of those, grind an egg shell, and mix it with a small amount of scrambled egg, and feed it to her. Also get her to drink some water, and youncould drip some on the chopped egg. If she seems well enough, place her in a warm bath for 20 minutes, and try to get her to relax. Let us know what happens.

I will let you know. Hopefully she makes it. She is the last of our original flock that got us into raising chickens. By far my favorite girl. Thank you for the help

 

[Eggcessive]

You’re welcome, and I hope she lays the egg. Older hens can sometimes suffer from reproductive disorders, and can lay lash eggs which are products of infection from salpingitis. On occasion one of those could be very large and seem like a stuck egg. But hopefully that is not the problem, and she will get the egg out.