Chicken appears to have paralyzed legs, but her feet still move

[Tilly Goat]

I found one of my RRR hens on her side a few days ago. She is still laying eggs, but can't stand up. She wants to be with the other hens, is eating and drinking, but falls over forward when trying to get around. When I pick her up her feet open and close. I am giving her extra B vitamins and have her is a separate pen. Is it possible for her legs to be paralyzed but not her feet? Is this the beginnings of Marek's?

 

[nuthatched]

What's her age and usual diet?

 

[Tilly Goat]

She is 9 months old, fed layer pellets, hen scratch available, free range, lots of fresh vegs.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I found one of my RRR hens on her side a few days ago. She is still laying eggs, but can't stand up. She wants to be with the other hens, is eating and drinking, but falls over forward when trying to get around. When I pick her up her feet open and close. I am giving her extra B vitamins and have her is a separate pen. Is it possible for her legs to be paralyzed but not her feet? Is this the beginnings of Marek's?

Possible it's Marek's.

I'd work on getting the B-Complex into her daily (give 1/4 tablet). Add 400IU Vitamin E and some egg to her daily routine as well.
Any other symptoms - have you added any new birds recently?
Look her over for lice/mites too.

 

[Tilly Goat]

Possible it's Marek's.

I'd work on getting the B-Complex into her daily (give 1/4 tablet). Add 400IU Vitamin E and some egg to her daily routine as well.
Any other symptoms - have you added any new birds recently?
Look her over for lice/mites too.

No new chickens in the last 6 mos. I've been giving her plain yogurt, cooked egg, banana and will now add vit 3 and B-complex. She is kept in a crate, but occasionally gets out and wobbles over to be with her friends. She does seem to be standing a bit more steady, falls over when she tries to run fast, though.

 

[nuthatched]

How much non feed treats dose she get?

 

[Tilly Goat]

Whole flock gets tomatoes, cucumber, zucchini bits everyday. Occasionally black oil sunflower seeds. Also whatever bugs and worms they get in the yard, they are free range. No pesticides or herbicides used and I have no neighbours near by.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

No new chickens in the last 6 mos. I've been giving her plain yogurt, cooked egg, banana and will now add vit 3 and B-complex. She is kept in a crate, but occasionally gets out and wobbles over to be with her friends. She does seem to be standing a bit more steady, falls over when she tries to run fast, though.

What's your weather been like?
Some hens struggle more with heat than others sometimes.

I'd keep working on encouraging her to drink and eat. If possible, get a sample of her poop and take it to your vet for a fecal float to see is she needs to be dewormed.

 

[Kiki]

Whole flock gets tomatoes, cucumber, zucchini bits everyday. Occasionally black oil sunflower seeds. Also whatever bugs and worms they get in the yard, they are free range. No pesticides or herbicides used and I have no neighbours near by.

You are feeding way too much treats.
Feeding treats daily can prevent the bird from getting proper nutrition. Not getting proper nutrition can cause deficiencies which could possibly lead to leg issues.

I highly recommend you stop feeding everything except the pelleted or crumbled layer feed immediately.

 

[Tilly Goat]

Hen, now called Tippy, is walking much better. She still needs to keep her tail held high to keep her balance, but she is able to wander all over the yard with her friends, is grooming herself, eating well and still laying eggs. Will keep up the Vit. E and B, cooked eggs and yogurt, but I think the worst has passed.