Chicken won’t bend her leg… it’s straight In front of her.

[queenchick1003]

I have a 13 week old gold laced giant Cochin that was fine yesterday but can’t walk today. She had her leg straight in front of her. Both legs feel the same as each other and she doesn’t seem bothered when I touch it.
-No new birds and only in a large coop with inside and outside area. No mites or bumble foot.
The boo-boo picture is of her good leg that she keeps under her not sure what happened there.
I’ve been giving her water by syringe with electrolytes. She’s got food and water available but not sure she’s drinking g or eating?

Any advise is appreciated.

 

[Lady of McCamley]

I'm so sorry. It looks like classic Marek's. A viral illness in birds that creates nerve lesions causing paralysis.

There's nothing you can do. Watch for symptoms in other birds, as it is very contagious. However many birds have a resistance to it.

LofMc

 

[theoldchick]

https://extension.psu.edu/mareks-disease-in-chickens

or

https://www.thepoultrysite.com/publications/diseases-of-poultry/220/slipped-tendon-perosis

 

[Eggcessive]

I would agree that it could be Mareks disease, but that seems quick to develop a sore on her leg if she was normal yesterday. Is her hock swollen or tender compared to her other leg? Could she have suffered an injury that has affected the sciatic nerve? Do you have a rooster or cockerel that may have injured her? I would make her a chicken sling to get her upright and make it easier to reach food and water. If you decide to cull her, you may want to have your state vet do a necropsy to look for Mareks. Here are some good ideas for chicken sling chairs:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/versions-of-chick-chairs-please.1166308/

 

[queenchick1003]

Both legs feel the same. No rooster.
Could of fallen maybe from the perch?
Okay thanks for the info.

 

[queenchick1003]

I need to add all my chicks have been vaccinated. Does that not matter in Mareks?

Also, I need to add she’s always been a little wonky walking but my mother in law thought because of her feathers she just walked different.

 

[Lady of McCamley]

The Marek's vaccine is like the human flu vaccine. It only covers the main anticipated strajins, not every strain.

That's interesting that she has always walked funny. That could indicate a slipped hock.

I've had chickens fine one day and down with Marek's the next. It can come on fast though it's been brewing symptomless for weeks.

But if she has been that way from hatch, or chickhood, that would indicate structural problems as a possibility.

LofMc

 

[Elizabethmfe29]

I have a 13 week old gold laced giant Cochin that was fine yesterday but can’t walk today. She had her leg straight in front of her. Both legs feel the same as each other and she doesn’t seem bothered when I touch it.
-No new birds and only in a large coop with inside and outside area. No mites or bumble foot.
The boo-boo picture is of her good leg that she keeps under her not sure what happened there.
I’ve been giving her water by syringe with electrolytes. She’s got food and water available but not sure she’s drinking g or eating?

Any advise is appreciated.

My chickens leg is with her left leg out and straighten but her other leg is normal. What does that mean?