Chicken can not walk...help

[Paige May]

I have a silver laced Wyandotte that is about 5 months old. About a week and half ago she started dragging a wing. I thought maybe broken so I separated her and wrapped it to her to let it heal. After a week she started to loose her balance and was falling over so I unwrapped her wing and that was not the problem. She would fall over easy and was unable to get back up, but still lots of energy and trying to run around. Now she is unable to walk or get up. I thought maybe egg bound, I have been putting her in warm water to try to help her pass the egg. But Now I don't really think that is the problem. She is very alert, doesn't seem to be lethargic. She seems to have appetite and will eat what I put in front of her. She drinks from a dropper and I started giving her Nutri-Drench. None of my other chickens have any symptoms. Her poop looks normal.

Thank You, I would appreciate any advice

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Sounds like Mareks unfortunately.

 

[littlefarmgirl9]

Are her eyes looking any different? Like the pupils dilating, or getting cloudy? If so I'm sorry to say, but it does sound like Marek's.

 

[ChickNanny13]

Doesn't sound good but thinking the same as prior thoughts ...

 

[Eggcessive]

Welcome to BYC. Sorry that your pullet is having so many problems. Have you had any others before with illnesses? It does sound a lot like Mareks, but I would give her chick vitamins with her food or water and keep her close to them. Mareks can only be confirmed with a necropsy after death, done by the state vet or a poultry lab. We can give you contact info if you need it. It helps to know if that could be a problem with your other chickens.

 

[Paige May]

Thank you everyone for your help. I have 10 free range chickens all different breeds, this could be devastating. Every day she seems a little worse. Not sure if I should have her euthanized. Don't want to see her suffer. How would my hen catch this disease? They are not around any other chickens. I have had her since July.

 

[Eggcessive]

That would be the point of getting a necropsy and tested for Mareks, since it could ease your mind if that is not her problem. Mareks can be brought in a by a recent new addition to the flock, but also by wild birds. There are many illnesses that can look like Mareks, such as mold poisoning, lead or chemical poisoning, vitamin or mineral deficiencies, and others. Some have had coccidiosis diagnosed as cause of death in some necropsies on chickens who were suspected of Mareks.