Chicken is unable to move - can just about eat ?!

[TheLittlechickens]

so I have a 4 year old Rhode island red who suddenly was unable to walk ( it happened around 2-3 days ago ) . She has no lifted skin or any other abnormalities so I don’t think it’s is mareks , but I’m totally clueless to what it could be. We put her in some grass today and she will eat some ( maybe 3 or 4 blades ) but is too nervous to eat a decent amount . I have put vitamin d tablets in her water and food - I read somewhere that it can help quicken recovery for pulled muscles and/or leg injuries- but she won’t drink any water . Her feet won’t move and are completely white and crusted . She has lost a substancial amount of weight out of the blue and we are unsure if it’s related to her being lonely ( her friend died last week ) .I’m totally clueless as it what it could be . Does anyone have any suggestions ??

 

[staceyj]

I’m sorry she’s in distress and that she lost her friend.

What took that one?

And could you post clear pictures of this bird and her physical posture? Head, face, full body and also her “white, crusted feet”?

 

[clucking with my chicken]

I know you may not want to hear this but she may die in the next few days,
its more likely the mareks diesese I would rush her to the vet and get a fecal sample if your very worried about her.
or if you live in a place where is know for paralyzing bugs then that's problay it!
im sorry to hear about your loss and your suffering

 

[Eggcessive]

Pictures of her feet and how she is sitting can be helpful. White crusty feet sound like scaly legs mites. When those get severe, that can make it hard to walk. Is she moving her legs at all if you try to pick her up? Is she using her wings to move around?

Does your hen still lay eggs? Can you insert a finger into her vent about 1 inch to feel for a stuck egg? Use a disposable glove if you have one. Have you added any new birds recently that might have been a carrier of Mareks disease?

To get her upright and to keep her cleaner, a chicken sling may be helpful. I would get some vitamin B complex, and give her 1/4 tablet crushed into some food daily. Is she eating and drinking, and can she reach the food?

Here is a link about scaly leg mites:
https://the-chicken-chick.com/scaly-leg-mites-in-chickens/

Here is a link about pictures of homemade slings:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/versions-of-chick-chairs-please.1166308/

 

[clucking with my chicken]

I’m sorry she’s in distress and that she lost her friend.

What took that one?

And could you post clear pictures of this bird and her physical posture? Head, face, full body and also her “white, crusted feet”?

lol I was typing really fast hoping im the first one
lol your first

 

[TheLittlechickens]

I’m sorry she’s in distress and that she lost her friend.

What took that one?

And could you post clear pictures of this bird and her physical posture? Head, face, full body and also her “white, crusted feet”?

Her friend - we think - died from a old age and a respiratory complication .
Here is the pictures :

 

[clucking with my chicken]

OH NO!!! SO SAD

 

[clucking with my chicken]

yes she has been bitten by scaly leg mites and they may of pralized her
and she looks like she may not live I would rush her to the vet immedently

 

[TheLittlechickens]

Pictures of her feet and how she is sitting can be helpful. White crusty feet sound like scaly legs mites. When those get severe, that can make it hard to walk. Is she moving her legs at all if you try to pick her up? Is she using her wings to move around?

Does your hen still lay eggs? Can you insert a finger into her vent about 1 inch to feel for a stuck egg? Use a disposable glove if you have one. Have you added any new birds recently that might have been a carrier of Mareks disease?

To get her upright and to keep her cleaner, a chicken sling may be helpful. I would get some vitamin B complex, and give her 1/4 tablet crushed into some food daily. Is she eating and drinking, and can she reach the food?

Here is a link about scaly leg mites:
https://the-chicken-chick.com/scaly-leg-mites-in-chickens/

Here is a link about pictures of homemade slings:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/versions-of-chick-chairs-please.1166308/

View attachment 1704637

When we pick her up her legs don’t move and when we try to move her toes. They stay in the position . She hasn’t moved in 2 days but she can freely move her wings . Our chickens haven’t laid eggs in around a year and a half so I’m doubtful it’s the egg theory ( although something I would never of thought of )
We haven’t added any new birds recently so it’s can’t have been from another bird . I’ve placed pots of food ( as well as the big feeder ) around her house and next to her - the same with water - and she doesn’t seem to be eating or drinking too much .
I might try the vitamin b complex though x

 

[TheLittlechickens]

yes she has been bitten by scaly leg mites and they may of pralized her
and she looks like she may not live I would rush her to the vet immedently

Thank you x