Colombian Wyandotte-trouble walking

[debgoody]

We have a 13 week Columbia’s Wyandotte who all of a sudden can’t walk... her leg looks fine but won’t straighten to stand. All others 4 chickens are totally fine. They are still in a large brooder in our garage so no animals could have gotten her... any insight??
she’s eating when she can get to food. But other then that just sits there

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Looks like Mareks to me unfortunately. That's a classic sign of the disease.

 

[debgoody]

They were vaccinated for Mareks..? Is it possible to still get it? If it is..? Can I do anything and should I separate the others..?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Vaccinated birds can come down with Mareks since there are different strains of it, and the vaccine only covers a few I believe.

You could try some poultry vitamins to see if it improves. Sometimes a deficiency will cause similar symptoms. Also a physical trauma may cause these symptoms too. Generally both will improve with rest and vitamins.

It's your decision on whether to remove it or not. We generally leave them for a week or two to see if it worsens. If it does we remove and cull.

 

[debgoody]

Ok thanks! How could she have gotten Mareks? We separated her last night and will clean out the bigger brooder today to be sure others don’t get it.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Mareks is spread by feather dander and can blow in on the wind or come in on wild birds. It can survive in the environment for quite a long time as well. There's a Mareks thread, but I can't seem to find it.

@Eggcessive do you have the link to that thread?

 

[Eggcessive]

Have you tried giving some vitamin B complex? Dissolve 1/2 tablet in some water daily and sprinkle on food or give some orally. Vitamin B 2 riboflavin sometimes can cause leg issues. What do younfeed them? Could she have injured herself jumping or being jumped on? If you lift her up to a standing position, could you have someone take a picture of her legs from the front? Here is some reading about Mareks disease, but I hope that is not the problem:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq.66077/