chicken can't walk

[catchick]

Hi I am new here and don't know a lot about chickens.

We have had back yard chickens for about three years. They have always been healthy, fat and happy. Well we hatch some chicks about 4 months ago. They were all healthy and find until one morning we went out there and one of the chicks (about 2months old at the time) had her legs spread out and could not walk. Well we have been keeping her in the house and taking care of her. She is find she just can't walk.

Well yeasterday a hen (about 4 months old, the other chicken's sister) was on her knees and not able to use her feet. She was find the day before.

I don't know what to do. I can't keep two chickens in the house. The one yesterday can get around and everything. They both are healthy other wise and don't seem to be in pain.

I just can't understand what happen to them. The were not born this way.

Any advice would be great. Except I can't put them down. We don't eat our chickens they are our pets.

Thanks

catchick

 

[virgilini]

Hi catchick,
I'm far from an expert on chickens but it sounds like they may have spraddle leg. Do a search for spraddle leg and you should find some information. It has something to do with cutting a band- aid in half length wise and taping their legs to straighten them out. Good luck.

Kim

 

[WisconsinChick]

What kind of bedding do you have?? Could they be slipping on it because that causes their legs to split like that.

Also, culling unhealthy, or weak chickens is part of owning a flock.

 

[sammi]

as others posted, the little chick most likely has spraddle leg..
try and get some of that rubbery non-slip cabinet lining for the brooder.
easy to clean and reusable.
do a search for the band-aid method..which helps pull the legs back together..it should be done asap.
search "spraddle leg"

please describe with more detail the 4 month old hen..
what is it eating?
do you have chick vitamins?(good for all chicks)

make sure this young hen is eating chick or grower feed and not layer feed.

and if you don't have chick vitamins on hand..,try and get some Poly-vi-sol liquid baby vitamins, Enfamil brand, no iron..
give 2-3 drops once a day ON BEAK, using a dropper..
give for a week or so, then taper off for a week..and continue with chick vitamins.
leg problems are sometimes caused by deficiency of some B vitamins..which the Poly-vi-sol has.

 

[Solsken Farm]

Hi and welcome to BYC.

I am so sorry you are having this problem. It doesn't sound like spraddle in an adult hen and a 4 month old chick. I am hoping someone with experience sees this.

I completely understanding not wanting to put down your pets.

 

[catchick]

I don't know what is going on with my chickens. A hen about 6months old just came up lame. Her legs are bent at the knees with her feet in front of her. She is moving around on her knees. She was find just the other day. Could something be getting in the coop? Could a snake do this? I am so worry about them.

Thanks for you replieds but I think the chicken is to old for the band thing.

We love her anyway.

catchick

 

[Mahonri]

Hope your chick gets better Charo.

 

[catchick]

Quote:
Thank you the one that can't walk at all is in the house most of the time. The other one is still outside and seems to be find just can't stand up, but she can move around on her knees.

My husband hates having a chicken in the house but I don't know what else to do, we love that chicken. lol


catchick

 

[chickenannie]

I had a similar experience and you can read about it on the link below:

I learned that chickens not being able to walk can be a sign of:

1. General weakness from some other cause
2. Vitamin or nutrition deficiency
3. Disease such as Marek's or viral hock infection or other
4. Injury

(fyi i think "hocks" are what you are referring to as "knees")

Read on:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=44619&p=2