Chicken with paralysis

[featherfan]

One of my chickens is suffering from a gradual onset of paralysis,
worsening for about 3 days. She is still alert with head up and eating food brought to her, however not drinking much. She is about 3 years old. Could this be botulism? Would Vitamin E, yogurt and/or scrambled egg help this condition and if so how should it be administered? Would greatly appreciate any advice.

 

[threehorses]

Quote:
If it were botulism, she wouldn't be alive for three days - so that's the good news.

We do actually need more information. It could be anything, really. Vitamin E does help neurological issues if that's it. If you feed eggs, feed boiled mashed egg yolks - they're easier to digest.

You might want to check out this post:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=207448

And then if you could, please, answer the questions on the second sticky in the forum - but answer them here. That gets us started on a flock history (there will be more questions)

In the mean time, you'll want to treat like it's nutritional while we rule out other things. You can feed a mix of polyvisol vitamins, some yogurt, egg yolk, and clean water. The extra vitamin E, yes. In the mean time we'll look for your answers to the other questions and do our best.

 

[featherfan]

My flock is about 3 years old. I have Barred, Buff and Partridge Rocks as well as Silver Leghorns. I have 1 Barred Rock rooster and 1 rescued Bantum rooster. There are 20 chicken in all. They are in a
100 sq ft. hen house with nest boxes and roosts. There are fenced in areas (400 sq ft. total) that extend out both sides of the hen house. We allow the chickens out at times to run about the lawn/yard and surrounding woods. (No chemicals on lawn area).
The paralzed chicken is a Barred Rock. Her stool seems blackish and slightly runny. I did notice her drinking this morning and is still eager to eat. I am trying to keep her propped up with towels.
I will attempt the vitamins with her but I'm not sure how much to give. Should I add the vitamins to her food?

 

[horsejody]

Is it possibly be Marek's?

 

[artsyrobin]

i put the vitamins on the curve of his beak, and he licks it off, the vitamin e i do that too, but usually he gets most of it preening his chest, since he isn't to crazy about it...

 

[Glenda L Heywood]

Mareks is not cureable and a 3 yr old hen is probably got it

the mareks is worse in young chicks and old chickens

from too much heat or too much severe cold weather

so to help her live then you will have to administer
1-1000 mg of Vit E and 1 Vit B complex twice a day

Vit E can have the cliped end and squeeze it into her beak
and crumble the vit B complex

or you can buy both oils at Walmart herb and vitamin aisle

and give 1/4 tsp twice a day for tweo weeks

she may come around and if not then you will have to cull her

and she is giving off dander with mareks in it daily to the rest of the chickens

any questions email me

 

[horsejody]

Marek's can manefest itself at any age, especially in times of stress.

 

[Glenda L Heywood]

True but one thinks older birds can not get it
which under stress they do get,areks

here is some very good information on mareks by Peter Brown of First state vet

First State Veterinary Supply - Mareks Disease
MAREKS DISEASE By: Peter J. Brown, First State Veterinary Supply, Inc. ... Mareks,was first described in 1907 by Dr. Marek who was a Hungarian researcher. ...
www.firststatevetsupply.com/poultry.../mareks-disease.html - Cached - Similar

any questions email me