Chicken suddenly can't stand (Help)

[Owain1]

Our 2 year old Buff Orpington can't stand. if she tries she just flops on her side. She was vaccinated as a chick. I gave her water with some electrolytes in it. I had to dunk her beak, to get her to take the water. She isn't interested in food, but I will try some soften with a little water. Any other ideas.​

 

[Owain1]

Her last egg was two weeks ago. I will try to treat her for being egg bound. I haven't had much luck with that, but I will try. She looked normal two days ago, but I don't remember her being active yesterday. I saw her sitting in the shed and though nothing of it, when I reached out to pet her she tried to get away and just flopped over. I separated her from the others.

 

[ChicNmom]

Did you check her over for injuries? If you haven't, feel her hips and legs. I usually do both at the same time so I can compare them.

Part her feathers and look for bruising.

You can also hold her and put a hand under her foot to see if she will try to press down into your hand. Do one leg at a time. Also if you put a finger under her foot she should be able to grip your finger with her toes. This can help determine if it is one or both legs.

Do you have a rooster?
Could she have been attacked by something?
Are your roost poles high off the ground?

I'd try to get her eating. Maybe some scrambled egg or some really good treat.

I had one that had a broken wing. She wouldn't eat until I gave her something for the pain.

I would also check her abdomen for any swelling. JIC

 

[Eggcessive]

You might try her in a chicken sling for periods throughout the day. When I had a hen who had a long spell where she could not stand or balance, I kept alive by feeding water mushy feed, egg, and tuna for 5 weeks until she could stand. Have you added any new birds to the flock in recent months? Chicken slings may be helpful with lame chickens. Look at post 3 here for info and pictures about chicken slings:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/chicken-keeps-falling-to-one-side.1637443/

 

[CHlCKEN]

I had one of my birds paralyzed when dropped by a hawk. She had no other injuries and the only reason I knew it happened was because it was captured by my cams. Usually shock prevents them from taking food or water willingly, which would be consistent with a possible attack.

 

[Owain1]

Her last egg was two weeks ago. I will try to treat her for being egg bound. I haven't had much luck with that, but I will try. She looked normal two days ago, but I don't remember her being active yesterday. I saw her sitting in the shed and though nothing of it, when I reached out to pet her she tried to get away and just flopped over. I separated her from the others.

 

[Owain1]

Update: This was illness. I'm guessing Marek's, but maybe Newcastle. Clara died, as well as another two year old chicken (Quinn). On top of that two other chickens became sick. However, neither look as bad and they both appear to be getting better. I've been giving them vitamin & electrolytes in the water. Clara was the only one who lost her ability to stand. (that's the only sign of Marek's) Quinn, I noticed wasn't joining the flock, so I separated her. She looked a little down, but could stand. She died very quickly. I checked on her about two hours later and she was dead. None of the rest of the flock appear to have become sick (YET!). I have tried to clean up the coop, but I free range and there are feathers everywhere. just finished molting season and almost all the chickens molted.

 

[CHlCKEN]

Update: This was illness. I'm guessing Marek's, but maybe Newcastle. Clara died, as well as another two year old chicken (Quinn). On top of that two other chickens became sick. However, neither look as bad and they both appear to be getting better. I've been giving them vitamin & electrolytes in the water. Clara was the only one who lost her ability to stand. (that's the only sign of Marek's) Quinn, I noticed wasn't joining the flock, so I separated her. She looked a little down, but could stand. She died very quickly. I checked on her about two hours later and she was dead. None of the rest of the flock appear to have become sick (YET!). I have tried to clean up the coop, but I free range and there are feathers everywhere. just finished molting season and almost all the chickens molted.

Were they vaccinated? Mareks usually strikes very young which makes it seem like the less likely option but definitely not impossible

Update on how everyone else is doing?

 

[Eggcessive]

Sorry for your loss. If you lose any others, I would send the body in to your state vet lab for a necropsy.

 

[Owain1]

Were they vaccinated? Mareks usually strikes very young which makes it seem like the less likely option but definitely not impossible

Update on how everyone else is doing?

I've hatched chicks (unvaccinated) and bought others (vaccinated). The two that haven't died were vaccinated. One of them looks almost better, but the other developed wry neck. I'm treating that with vitamins.

Not sure it was Marek's. The fact that two chicken's haven't died makes me suspect something else.

To add to the story, I had a juvenile crow fall into the chicken yard a month ago. It had a curled foot, just like Clara. I took it to Wild animal rescue. They euthanized it. I'm trying to see if they did a necropsy. I'm assuming that's how the chickens got sick, but there are so many things that I've found that could cause these symptoms. Brahma (not straitening neck) & Australorp (looks better)