Chicken keeps sitting down with droopy wings.

[Fish3165]

Hi, I have 4 beautiful Isa's and they all are eating and laying well. On daily visit, I noticed one of the girls was limping, walking stiffly and then sitting down with droopy wings. I came on this site and read with interest that she could be dehydrated. I went straight out and gave her a bowl of water directly in front of her and she is drinking a lot and I put food nearby also and she is eating fine.

She did try and stand up and looked like she had arthritis she looked stiff and then quickly sat down again.

She is around 8 months old and her comb is a nice red colour.

Should I take to the vet or just monitor her and leave her be.
I also read that putting a tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar in the water might be good too.

Just wanting reassurance if anyone has any thoughts, it would be greatly appreciated.

 

[MGG]

Is she egg bound? When was the last time she layed an egg? How does her poop look? @Eggcessive @Wyorp Rock @azygous

 

[MGG]

Can you feel an egg in her?

 

[Fish3165]

No, she is laying fine. Has laid one today already.

 

[azygous]

Has anything stressed her? A predator? Overheating? Chilling? Injury?

Unless she's displaying the first symptoms of Marek's, I would suspect shock from a stress event. It sure won't hurt her to treat with warm sugar water with a pinch of salt or if you have it, warm Gatoraid.

 

[Fish3165]

Thanks so much for the responses. It's actually been quite cool lately. I'm in Adelaide, South Australia.
I will try the warm water with sugar and a pinch of salt.
She looks ok (until she tries to walk that is).
I don't know about stress etc as the hen house is a few hundred metres from the house and I can't see them as they are behind vineyard.
I will keep monitoring & if she deteriorates, I will take to the vet.
She was fine yesterday, so first signs of symptoms today.
Thanks again

 

[Eggcessive]

She might have been injured, kept from water or food by others in her flock, or it could be early signs of Mareks. She is at the right age, but hopefully, that is not her problem. Just watch her, and make sure that she is reaching food and water if she has problems getting to them. She may need to be in a small pen or dog crate so that she can reach them if her ability to walk is worse.

 

[Eggcessive]

Dehydration is a good possibility. If that is th problem she should be acting more normal soon. Here are some articles to read about Mareks disease:
https://extension.umd.edu/sites/ext...Preventing Mareks Disease in Small Flocks.pdf
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq.66077/

 

[Fish3165]

Thanks so much @Eggcessive
It was your advice on an old thread that lead me towards dehydration. I so appreciate all the advice.
Cheers

 

[Fish3165]

****UPDATE****
Chicken seems fine now!! I'm so happy and thankful for all your input and your help. If it was Mareks, do the symptoms come and go or do you think it was just dehydration or stress?

I contacted the breeder and she was immunised at 1 day old, but she said there is always a slim chance of contracting that disease.

I will just keep on monitoring her, but I just wanted to let you know.
Thanks again