Chicken laying down, off balance, barely walking

[3chickenfriends]

Hi, last night when I went to shut off the coops light, I noticed my salmon favorelle not on the roost with her fellow coop mates. She was simply laying on the bottom on the coop very puffed out. She was talking to me when I picked her up but she had not tried to scramble away like she usually does. I put her back down and she then returned to plopping down and fluffing up. I did begin tapping the roost which encouraged her to jump up where she was toddling and almost fell off until she stabilized herself, sat on the roost, puffed up and fell asleep instantaneously. This has never happened before although my dad informed me that the previous night, our favorelle had slept on the ground. I've been anxiously researching to find what is wrong but I haven't gotten a clear answer with a clear solution. She is eating and drinking and her poop looks as normal as can be (she really doesn't seem sick), I gave her some yogurt this morning and meal worms which she fell right into. Not to mention I can clearly feel her breastbone when I was holding her. For the few seconds she does stand, her tail is down. Her comb isn't a bright red and it hasn't been since maybe September or October. We're in New York and suddenly temperatures dropped into the 30's.

I've eliminated parasites from being guilty of our motionless hen but if anyone suggests something related to that I would appreciate anything you had to say. I researched things such as cocci, the possibility of being egg bound, egg peritonitis etc. I also researched Marek's disease but I can't believe that's an option. She's not paralyzed since I've seen her walk even if it is about two steps and also have seen her jump up on the roost. She seems dizzy and I feel like it may be from being malnourished since she's lost weight (I haven't always been able to feel her breastbone) and also since our hens haven't been receiving greens from the farmers market or free ranging. I read that this could be the culprit but then again, I'm not sure. I'm open for possible diagnosis and treatment. Right now, we've made scrambled eggs with tomatoes and broccoli which I read gave hens certain essential vitamins they might be missing. I'd like to note that where we're located, it's about an hour drive to the nearest TSC so it would be hard to get a hold of medication specifically for chickens. This is probably the worst time for our hen to feel under the weather we'd love to have her in tip top shape as soon as possible.

I appreciate your help,
3ChickenFriends

 

[3chickenfriends]

Update: We've taken our salmon favorelle (Buttercup) insides. We gave her a warm epsom salt bath and cleaned all the dirt and filth off her. We also gave her some white bread which she ate a bit and now she is napping on and off in a laundry basket we set up for her. She is not getting on her feet at all. I applied Vaseline and noticed her left foot bottom was pretty scaley and rougher than the other foot so that definitely got Vaseline. Her feet are under her not spread out like some chickens with Mareks had. She isn't drinking much either I'm not sure what else to do. She's kind of on her side right now I'll see if I'm able to upload a picture.

[/IMG]

 

[3chickenfriends]

Update part 2: My mom urged me to check her vent and so I put a glove on, lathered it up with some more Vaseline, and got just up to my first joint in my pointer finger in. I felt nothing and I moved my finger around a bit but still nothing. So I pulled out and when I did the most nauseating, awful, foul liquid poured from her vent. It was clear with a yellow tint and I nearly vomited at the smell. That I definitely could not find online. My mom thinks it was good she let whatever that was out, I hope I didn't hurt her and I hope that terrible liquid helped her out in some way by relieving her. So much for the bath! She still hasn't stood up and is sitting puffed on a towel in the basket. She was brought in after 12 today and it's almost 4:20 and she hasn't pooped or drank anything more than a drop of water. Please help us out,

Thanks,
3ChickenFriends

 

[3chickenfriends]

Alright Buttercup just let all this out

Not sure what's next, will update soon.

 

[stearnj]

Hmmm - sounding a lot like mine - I posted a bit further down about my Lacy Wyndotte in similar trouble. If you hold her and put your finger under her foot can she grasp with either foot? Mine can grasp with her good foot - but no grasp with the bad foot. Can she grasp your finger with both feet?

 

[stearnj]

Hmmm - sounding a lot like mine - I posted a bit further down about my Lacy Wyndotte in similar trouble. If you hold her and put your finger under her foot can she grasp with either foot? Mine can grasp with her good foot - but no grasp with the bad foot. Can she grasp your finger with both feet?

 

[3chickenfriends]

Hmmm - sounding a lot like mine - I posted a bit further down about my Lacy Wyndotte in similar trouble.  If you hold her and put your finger under her foot can she grasp with either foot?  Mine can grasp with her good foot - but no grasp with the bad foot.  Can she grasp your finger with both feet?

Buttercup can barely move her toes to grasp my finger. She let out another two stinky, watery poops during the night. I read that it's probably not Mareks since it came on so suddenly and she's 2 years old. Today's plan is yogurt and eggs and dampened feed, hopefully she perks up more. I'm assuming she's paralyzed in her wings and her feet, I've never seen a paralyzed animal but from her lack of movement it could be paralysis due to toxins? I'm not sure. If anyone has any suggestions as to how to flush out the possible toxins and give her vitamins we'd really appreciate it.

Thanks;
3ChickenFriends

 

[stearnj]

Good Luck ... I have only kept chooks for a year ... they are quite a worry aren't they ... do hope she improves.

 

[3chickenfriends]

Good Luck ... I have only kept chooks for a year ... they are quite a worry aren't they ... do hope she improves.

Thanks it's much appreciated. Today we picked up some Saint John's Worts and have so far given her half a capsule with a tablespoon of distilled water and have given that to her in hopes it helps with her paralysis(?). We're still not sure what exactly is happening but her comb is red, she's eating and drinking and also sleeping a lot. I read that Saint John's amplifies the problem before solving it which I understand and will patiently wait for signs of improvement with Buttercup. I have faith in her recovery and would still appreciate hearing anyone's personal experiences and remedies with an issue similar to Buttercup's.

Thanks,
3ChickenFriends

 

[3chickenfriends]

I'm not sure what is going on with her feet. One is sprung out and open and one is closed and pulled into her. Please someone help out, we don't know what to do or what is happening.

-3ChickenFriends