Chicken with balance and eye issues...

[The Chicken Whisperer]

My cute new Gold Comet pullet has trouble eating and running around. When she tries to peck something her beak gets halfway there and stops. She looks confused, like she thinks she should be at the food already. Depth perception issue? Also, when she is walking around she has a limp and when she lays down she has to lean against something. Sometimes when we check on her she is on her back unable to right herself. She is unable to perch with the others, and is starting to be picked on by the others. Any suggestions? Many thanks!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

How old? Pictures?

 

[True Patriot]

What feed/treats are you feeding? How old? Where is she from? Vaccinated? Vitamins/supplements?

 

[Eggcessive]

I don’t want to scare you, but Mareks disease could be a possibility. Hopefully not. Are the other chickens new as well, or have they been around? Can you post a picture of the eyes? Is there any cloudiness or color difference in the eyes? Does she hold the leg up when she limps, or is she putting it down or dragging it? Here is some reading about Mareks:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq.66077/

 

[The Chicken Whisperer]

Here are pictures:

Don't mind the background, I brought her inside for a bit to check her out.

 

[The Chicken Whisperer]

I don’t want to scare you, but Mareks disease could be a possibility. Hopefully not. Are the other chickens new as well, or have they been around? Can you post a picture of the eyes? Is there any cloudiness or color difference in the eyes? Does she hold the leg up when she limps, or is she putting it down or dragging it? Here is some reading about Mareks:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq.66077/

Thank you soooo much for your concern. I really hope it isn't Mareks. There are a few hens who came with her, and the others re several years older. They have been together a week or so, so I thought the pecking order thing has stopped? I don't see any cloudiness or discoloration in the eyes, but there are some pics that i posted so you can see for yourself. Her limp is subtle. She seems like she is moving one leg really fast to keep as much weight off as possible, like when we turn an ankle. Again, I REALLY hope she is Mareks free. I hope you think so too.

 

[The Chicken Whisperer]

What feed/treats are you feeding? How old? Where is she from? Vaccinated? Vitamins/supplements?

We give her hen crumble, since she lives in a free range, mixed age group. She gets Happy Hen Treats and cheese once in a while and a wide variety of greens. She a little under 2 months old, we think, and she came from Meyer Hatchery. She has her vaccines and she was one vitamins (in her water) when she was a chick because several of the others weren't doing well. Thank you so much for your concern.

 

[The Chicken Whisperer]

How old? Pictures?

She is a bit under 2 months old we think. Pics above.

 

[True Patriot]

There are several possibilities. Marek's is one. Visual acuity, musculoskeletal, and neurological problems can be caused by dietary deficiency. A simple test would be to give her some nutri-drench, polyvisol(w/o iron) or similar vitamins. If it's dietary things should improve. Another possibility is toxicities, some fungi, and molds contain compounds that are harmful, see if there's anything where she could be eating it. It's a long shot since none of the others are showing symptoms. Hope she gets better soon

 

[Eggcessive]

I second the suggestion for vitamins. Get one that includes riboflavin (vitamin B2) and poultry NutriDrench is one that does not. Poultry Cell, Durvet, Rooster Booster, and other brands of chick vitamins have riboflavin.