Chicken sick. Leg goes sideways when she tries to stand . Help

[jamievalerio]

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I mistakenly posted this in predators, the wrong forum. I apologize for the dumb error.

For about five days now my chicken has been acting funny Sits in the corner ,does not move much She is eating and drinking but not much therefore not much poop to see.
I ve given her antibiotics for two days ..slightly perkier but still not moving and can't stand.
I moved her food next to her this am and she is eating well.
I just noticed that she can't stand because her leg seems to be dragging...not connected to her body properly? When she falls on it it goes sideways and out from under her.
She is a red comet , about 20 weeks old . I have raised her in a double sized cage/ crate the total area is 30" x 60". I could not put her with the full grown hens ...they were not nice to her and she was too small . I planned on introducing her to the other birds soon but now she's sick so that can't happen.

What to do? Is this some chicken disease?
I can't imagine that her leg will heal if it's dislocated which it seems to be
Help,
Suggestions!
I do not want to put her down!
If I keep her separate can she survive without use of one leg .
Will she lay. .?

I m at a complete loss ...what to do?
Thank you for any help you can give me.
( I ve tried to post pictures. No luck so far. I'm still working on it. )


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[Eggcessive]

I would probably suspect Mareks disease. Chicks are usually vaccinated against this just after hatching, and occasionally one can still get it even after receiving the vaccine. There can be injuries, but if she i acting sick I would suspect Mareks. Here is some info (be sure to look at all 18 pictures and captions in 1st link):
http://partnersah.vet.cornell.edu/avian-atlas/search/disease/502
http://extension.unh.edu/resources/files/Resource000791_Rep813.pdf

 

[jamievalerio]

Thanks eggssive.....I think that's what she has. Her leg is extended out like the pictures and the antibiotic is obviously not going to help, since it's a virus. But I do have to note that she is eating and pooping but with difficulty, she crawls to food and water
Is ther any cure , like some anti viral med ?

 

[casportpony]

You could just provide supportive care and she might regain use of he legs... A cople of mine have.

-Kathy

 

[jamievalerio]

We've been
Hand Feeding and watering her
Is there any concern for human exposure ?

 

[Eggcessive]

Mareks is no danger to humans. I hope she has a good chance to make it.

 

[jamievalerio]

Can anyone suggest a gentle way to end her misery. She's not recovering .. Very sad

 

[Jessie66]

So sorry to hear about your hen. We just went through the same thing with one of our hens. Legs gradually would not work. We think it was Mereks. We put her down this morning. We have had to put down a few chickens, and the quickest way for the chicken is to use the axe and take the head off. Sound horrible, but it is quick. I wrap the body in a towel and hold and hubby stretches out neck over a board, covering her head with his hand, then uses a hatchet with other hand. I hold body in towel until it stops flapping. Hard to do, but important not to let them suffer.

 

[jamievalerio]

I don't know if I can kill her that way I m ya try. But thanks for your suggestion . I wish I could just put her to sleep by injection. Prob not possible?

 

[ten chicks]

Is it possible she has an injury to her leg,have you felt for a fracture,is leg swollen?