Chicken cannot use her legs! Please help!

[micstrachan]

I’m so sorry. What a rough month. Thank you for sharing.

 

[rebrascora]

I'm so very sorry for all your losses. What a rough spell you have had and especially during a time of year when love and family and happiness are so important and being celebrated. That must have been really tough. I hope that the new year brings better times for you.

 

[Alaskaliz]

Sorry for Your losses. Your post and pics were helpful to me. Thanks

 

[Ninjadawn]

Why don't you think it's Mareks? Many birds can carry it and be fine, stress will often bring it out. It sounds like her life has been very stressful. One other option could be botulism from eating moldy feed, but I personally think it's Mareks, which will continue to worsen. Sorry.

Hi, Can I pick your brain a little about Mareks disease? My young chicken Charly (no eggs yet) was losing her balance and laying down most of the time one day so I isolated her inside where I could keep a close eye in her. She had 1 leg she couldn't control but she could move around to get to the food but by the 4th day both legs didn't work and she couldn't move herself around anymore and didn't want to drink any water even if I held it directly under her beak she would just stretch her head out and try to sleep. One the 3rd night she was wiggly moving her wings and tail I don't know if it was pain but that is what it reminded me of. Her eyes are not bright and her comb was not as bright. She was did not improve any during the 4 days and she was taking breaths with her mouth open she layed a nasty bomb that stunk so bad on the 4th day. I took her in and euthanized her I couldn't leave her to starve to death she wasn't eating enough. Does this sound like Mareks to you? They said she had a couple of mites how do they get them I keep their house clean and I've never had them before. I did add a Silky quite awhile ago but they didn't share a house Charly was the ducks best friend and they have a house in the other pen. I still have 1 duck and 4 other chickens that appear to be just fine but did have a hen die suddenly a few months ago. I don't know why or if there is something in my yard/soil besides the morning glorys I am going to pull up today unless it was the lilly's? I've never seen them eat it before. Any insight will be helpful I can't afford a necropsy

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Hi, Can I pick your brain a little about Mareks disease? My young chicken Charly (no eggs yet) was losing her balance and laying down most of the time one day so I isolated her inside where I could keep a close eye in her. She had 1 leg she couldn't control but she could move around to get to the food but by the 4th day both legs didn't work and she couldn't move herself around anymore and didn't want to drink any water even if I held it directly under her beak she would just stretch her head out and try to sleep. One the 3rd night she was wiggly moving her wings and tail I don't know if it was pain but that is what it reminded me of. Her eyes are not bright and her comb was not as bright. She was did not improve any during the 4 days and she was taking breaths with her mouth open she layed a nasty bomb that stunk so bad on the 4th day. I took her in and euthanized her I couldn't leave her to starve to death she wasn't eating enough. Does this sound like Mareks to you? They said she had a couple of mites how do they get them I keep their house clean and I've never had them before. I did add a Silky quite awhile ago but they didn't share a house Charly was the ducks best friend and they have a house in the other pen. I still have 1 duck and 4 other chickens that appear to be just fine but did have a hen die suddenly a few months ago. I don't know why or if there is something in my yard/soil besides the morning glorys I am going to pull up today unless it was the lilly's? I've never seen them eat it before. Any insight will be helpful I can't afford a necropsy

It does sound like Mareks. Mites and Mareks can be carried in by wild birds. Not all birds infected will become sick. Many build immunity to it. Same as when they get vaccinated.

Mites are generally a maintenance issue. I treat as necessary. Most will carry a small amount of mites, and they control them by dust bathing.

I wouldn't worry too much about the rest getting sick. Some things you can't do much about. Try to keep stressors low, and feed a good ration. Chickens sometimes just appear to die one day. They are good at hiding sickness, so we often miss those signs.