Chicken can't stand or walk, paralyzed??

[mrskenmore]

And thank you very much for promptly updating whenever someone asks. Hilariously, I'll just be sitting here working and think, "I wonder how Ethel is doing?" I think she will forever live in all of our hearts!

I think of Ethel often and how she is enjoying the day- like if it is sunny out, "Oh I wonder if Ethel is hanging in the sun today" meanwhile I have 9 hens of my own- but Ethel has my heart lol

 

[BastyPutt]

I think of Ethel often and how she is enjoying the day- like if it is sunny out, "Oh I wonder if Ethel is hanging in the sun today" meanwhile I have 9 hens of my own- but Ethel has my heart lol

We own a hat and shirt printing company. I think some sort of "I wish I was more like Ethel" shirt is in order.

@Gotalotofpetstoo could you post a pic here of here that would make a good silhouette? Like a side profile shot of her roosting? If you wouldn't mind having an Ethel shirt made, for at least you (and me )

 

[Gotalotofpetstoo]

We own a hat and shirt printing company. I think some sort of "I wish I was more like Ethel" shirt is in order.

@Gotalotofpetstoo could you post a pic here of here that would make a good silhouette? Like a side profile shot of her roosting? If you wouldn't mind having an Ethel shirt made, for at least you (and me )

That is so cool and so sweet of you. I will go through my pictures and find one and post it.

 

[BastyPutt]

That is so cool and so sweet of you. I will go through my pictures and find one and post it.

Sent you a message.

 

[Gotalotofpetstoo]

Well, I'm writing this with tears in my eyes, but I pretty much knew anyway. And it doesn't really change anything but it still hurt to read the test results. Ethel 's. Test results came back positive for Marek's. I pretty much suspected that based on the necropsy results that I also got this week on the two chickens of my mother's that died. The first one had salpingitis and I believe egg yolk peritonitis and the second one was positive for her Marek's as well. I was hoping the test results would tell me if it was ocular Marek's because I guess then that would kind of let me know that that was the reason she went blind. But it didn't specify. She is negative for lymphoid Leukosis.
I have been treating another of my mother's chickens that went ill about a week ago. The feathers all around her vent showed she had some diarrhea so we cleaned her up, dusted her for mites, which she had, and started her on vitamin E and vitamin b100 complex and nutri-drench. She has shown some improvement but she still won't leave the coop. I thought maybe she was blind as well, but that doesn't appear to be the case. She's eating and drinking and keeping her weight on, but just the fact that she won't leave the coop with the rest of the chickens when the door is open, I know her time is probably limited as well. She is one of the group my mother got from the same person the first and second chickens that recently died came from, because they all had leg bands. The one we're treating now has a yellow leg band so my dear husband named her Dorothy, for the yellow brick road. While Ethel is still doing so great, my heart just breaks right now. It's so crazy how much I've grown to love that girl.
I really hate to say this, but it has been 6 months and a few days since my mother had her stroke and although she's doing much better and trying to get her life back on track, she still can't do very much on her own and it's driving her crazy so she sits in bed or on the couch all day, bored, and thinking, which can be dangerous for someone with a creative mind as hers, and she recently got eight more pullets. Five 8 week old light brahmas and three 12-week-old Americanas. They all came from reputable farms and have been vaccinated for Marek's, but it still concerns me because nothing's 100%. Her bantam frizzle and her three silkies also hatched five babies several weeks ago. Apparently the frizzle and the silkies had been vaccinated as well, but we now have five babies on the ground that were not vaccinated at birth and I'm assuming that vaccination from the mother doesn't carry over to these precious little babies. I did do the Marek's test on the frizzle along with Ethel's test, and he is negative. I told my mom to stay off the computer and absolutely no more chickens. I know she's bored and I know this stroke is driving her crazy and I love my mom more than anything. But knowing what I know now about chickens, I don't want to ever see another chicken go through what Ethel had to go through. I will continue with updates on Ethel regularly and dread the day that I have a not so great update. But hey, I've gotten to love and receive love from this girl for 4 months so far and she's obviously quite the a strong willed survivor, so I hope and pray I have many more ahead. Just look at that girl compared to day one.

 

[BastyPutt]

You know what, not so terrible news in terms of Ethel. Like you said, you pretty much knew what it would be and at least now you really do know - some closure in a sense. We haven't had any first hand experience with Mareks, but Ethel has probably been the only chicken to have THRIVED with the disease. I recently read a thread on here where a hen, who ultimately succumbed to Mareks, lived 3 years after her last flock mate passed, without issue.

I think the connection you made with her, is priceless, and who knows what the emotional capabilities actually are of a chicken, but I am sure she is as grateful as a chicken can be.

Mom's situation isnt so great, but it sounds like you have clearly communicated some expectations and we can hope for the best for the chicks and pullets.

On another note, check your profile posts

 

[Gotalotofpetstoo]

I am sad to say, that Dorothy passed away overnight. NOT ETHEL, but Dorothy, the one I spoke about recently that had gone ill and we were trying to treat.
Something else I noticed this morning as I was giving treats to the rest of the birds I noticed that mom's Americana has what looks like bulge on her neck under her beak. I know I've read something about this but I don't recall what it was. Of course I can't find again it at the moment. Any thoughts on this? Or is this normal?

 

[Allsfairinloveandbugs]

I was really, really REALLY hoping it was "just" a vitamin deficiency that caused Ethel's paralysis, and not MD. But having said that, she is mobile again, and that is a minor miracle. When you get a chance, can you post close-up pictures of both of her eyes?

Also, can you zoom in on the bulge under the EE you are referring to? (BTW she's very pretty.) Granted I don't have a great eye for looking at pics, so maybe someone else sees what you are referring to. But I don't see anything, unless you are referring to the bumps between her eye and her beak.

I'm also sorry about Dorothy, and I love the reason for her name that your husband gave her. That was a perfect name.

Finally, Im also sorry your mom purchased more chickens at this present time, because you already have a lot on your plate right now. Ive wondered, who takes care of her flock? I know you are doing the intensive care, but are you also gathering eggs, feeding, watering, and tending to them day to day?

 

[Gotalotofpetstoo]

I was really, really REALLY hoping it was "just" a vitamin deficiency that caused Ethel's paralysis, and not MD. But having said that, she is mobile again, and that is a minor miracle. When you get a chance, can you post close-up pictures of both of her eyes?

Also, can you zoom in on the bulge under the EE you are referring to? (BTW she's very pretty.) Granted I don't have a great eye for looking at pics, so maybe someone else sees what you are referring to. But I don't see anything, unless you are referring to the bumps between her eye and her beak.

I'm also sorry about Dorothy, and I love the reason for her name that your husband gave her. That was a perfect name.

Finally, Im also sorry your mom purchased more chickens at this present time, because you already have a lot on your plate right now. Ive wondered, who takes care of her flock? I know you are doing the intensive care, but are you also gathering eggs, feeding, watering, and tending to them day to day?

Thank you. I will get close up pics of both of Ethel's eyes. They look normal to me, but someone may see something I don't see.
And yes, Curt and I are caring for the rest of the flock now. Feeding, watering, treats, which they've never had before, collecting eggs, etc. Even checked all the new babies for pasty butt which I hadn't heard of before. They're all fine. I am checking all the other chickens ever day. Found a few have poopy butts so we're going to take care of that this evening and keep an eye on them.
I couldn't catch her, but it looks like a fluid filled pouch. Maybe it's just ruffled feathers. I'll check it again once she is up in the coop tonight.

 

[Allsfairinloveandbugs]

Do you mean her poofy feathery beard? If so, that is a common feature of Easter Eggers, along with their feathery ear muffs. It's why I love the appearance of EEs so much, because I think their feathered beards and muffs are so adorable.

I asked about posting closeup photos of both of Ethel's eyes, because her right eye looks normal in her pictures, except for the pupil May be being overly dilated. I don't
remember seeing a photo of her right eye.

OK wow on you and your husband tending to all of your mom's chickens. I've been wondering how your mom was doing, and had meant to ask. I understand she is bored and also probably dealing with severe depression. But still, it wasn't fair for her to get more chickens for you and your husband to need to take care of, it just wasn't. I don't mean to disparage your mom; I understand the stroke was a horrible thing to happen to her. But i understand it's hard on her caregivers too, and again, I'm sorry that you now have even more on your plate.