Chicken Won't Stand/Walk

[Pixo]

Hi,

My knowledge of chickens is pretty basic so I'm completely stumped on what to do with this situation. We have a young (3-4 Months Old) Bantam Polish chicken who all of the sudden stopped getting up. He sits in the coop on the ground and doesn't move. I eventually noticed after 1 and a half days and I picked him up and he still never moved his legs. So I placed him in front of the feeder and let him sit there and eat and then an hour later I moved him to the water and I've been doing this every hour since. He literally never moves his legs and they're folded up against his body. He doesn't look to have suffered a traumatic injury and I have no idea why he is doing this. A month ago or so I saw one of the polish lying down in the middle of the lawn not doing anything while everyone else was out finding bugs and I think this may have been him. Any answers, suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[OwO]

What are you feeding them and how much of it? I guess it could be possible that it's partly due to a vitamin deficiency

 

[rebrascora]

Sounds like Marek's disease.
Making him a chicken sling/hammock will help support him in an upright position and you can attach little food and water pots to the frame so that he can feed and drink when he likes. The second attack if they survive the first is usually more severe and takes longer to get over if they do recover, but as long as he is eating and drinking, there is hope. Vitamin supplement can only be beneficial.... basically anything that provides good nutrition to support the body and immune system. The company of other chickens will also help prevent him getting depressed but you may need to put his hammock in a cage to prevent them from pecking him as chickens will try to run a sick chicken out of the flock. Marek's is however contagious, so you need to make an assessment of how likely it is your other chickens have already been exposed to it.
If you do a search for images of chicken sling or chicken hammock you will see plenty of DIY as well as more professional looking products, that should give you ideas on what you can make with things you have available.

Good luck with him

Barbara