Chicken having a hard time balancing and walking.

[Andrew65]

One of my hens has started having trouble walking. Every step she takes tips her so she has to use her wings for balance. She only started doing this today and I can't find any helpful information. She is still drinking water and eating, although not as enthusiastically as normal.

 

[Eggcessive]

How old is she? Dehydration can certainly cause those symptoms. I would make sure that she is drinking some electrolytes in her water for a couple of days, and eating. Feed a little water in her chicken feed, offer a little cooked chopped egg, or some tuna or liver if the egg doesn’t appeal.

When a young chicken under a year old suddenly loses balance, we get a little scared about something like Mareks disease. Mareks make show up to cause loss of balance, weakness or paralysis of one leg, or drooping wings.

Many things can be the cause so it is good to rule out being egg bound, or having a leg or foot injury. Mold in feed can cause similar symptoms.

I have an older hen who lost the ability to balance back in the winter for about 5 weeks. She could move her legs, but just fell backwards or to the side. I wasn’t convinced that it was Mareks, so I diligently fed her 3 times a day putting water into her food, since she would not drink. She regained her ability to get up and walk outside, and several months later, although she wobbles a little, she roams around our backyard all day long. She is not able to jump up on a roost, though.

The main thing is to help her get food and water, and prrotect her from bullying or harm. She may need to be separate in a pen or a dog crate with food and water while you observe her.

 

[Andrew65]

She is just over one year old. I will see about trying some of those suggestions. Thanks.

 

[Eggcessive]

If she becomes unable to stand, you can try making her a chicken sling/chair. Some chickens who can move well enough to escape them can may not tolerate them, but it can help to get a lame or disabled chicken up and in front of food. Here is how to make one and examples:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/versions-of-chick-chairs-please.1166308/


Here is some reading about Mareks disease, just to compare and learn:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq.66077/

https://extension.umd.edu/sites/ext...Preventing Mareks Disease in Small Flocks.pdf

 

[Andrew65]

Thanks, I will make sure to read through those.
Currently she seems to be walking normally again, although a little slower than usual, and she isn't trying to avoid me which is also unusual.

 

[Eggcessive]

Does she lay eggs? A reproductive disorder can sometimes cause problems with balance or walking. Usually repro problems are more common after the age of two, but they can occur sometimes in younger layers. They may waddle, walk a little and sit down, separate themselves from others, eat poorly, have runny poops, not come off the roost in the morning, and may sometimes have a slow to empty crop.

 

[Andrew65]

I assume she lays eggs, she's in a group of nine other hens and I haven't seen all of them actually laying, but I believe they each lay.