Emergency - Hen not able to walk, leg dislocated?

[nuthatched]

She's still not doing well... I'm at the point where I'm wondering if it's most kind to euthanize her, but at the same time she's still trying to eat and drink water. But she's lost her ability to walk at all...

I would really appreciate advice. @Eggcessive @nuthatched @Sally PB (sorry, I don't mean to bother you guys)

Unfortunately, I'm not experienced with this, I'm so sorry

 

[Chikn-Wisperer]

I would try these things, if I were you.
1. See a vet. He/she can definitely give you a diagnosis on what's wrong with your chicken. The sooner the better.
2. I would get Emeraid's avian nutrition formula. A prescription is required from your vet, if he/she doesn't have it in stock. I would give it to her via a plastic syringe (amazon) and feed her. We once had a chicken with gout who wouldn't eat, but gave her the nutrition formula to give her calories and make her stronger, and she responded and was eating on her own within a few days.
3. Get Elector PSP for chicken mites. It's harmless to humans and chickens, but it works really well. You can use it to also spray your coop, chicken run, where ever the mites hang out.

These are the syringes we used:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09FZ4ZF1R/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

We feed her morning and night one full syringe (1 1/2 syringes if she can eat it). Mix the formula in water so that it isn't too thick or too thin. So that the syringe can pick it up.

Here is link to Emeraid formula:
https://www.vetrxdirect.com/product/view/emeraid-intensive-care-diet-for-omnivores-rx

Hope your vet has it in stock since I think time is of the essence. If not, you can put an order in and have your vet send them the prescription.

Chickens can be purchased for a few bucks, but they steal your heart. We did (and are doing) a lot to keep our chickens healthy and happy. Your birds mostly likely have Marek's since most backyard chickens have it (heard from our vet). I'm not sure if this is the issue, but your vet can give your a definitive diagnosis.

Check out this youtube video on Elector PSP:

 

[LaFleche]

In your pictures one can see quite a parasite infestation. She must be very anaemic.

Feeding her raw beef liver with eggyolk and brewers yeast will help to rebuild red blood cells.

 

[Lemon-Drop]

I had one get attacked by a fox, her leg did the same thing. I moved her into a big box in my basement and gradually worked with her giving her some shredded carrots, dried worms, changed up her food b/c she wasn't eating, gave he some oregano oil in water (anti-biotic) I also put oregano flakes in her food.and watched her for a couple weeks. Her leg is twisted but she can get around now. It sounds like she needs some nourishment if you have greens, carrots, broccoli slaw just to stimulate her to eat for strength. Otherwise she may need to be dispatched to keep her from suffering. I'm sorry, I know it's hard. I just lost Gimpy, a RI Red.

Ok, I can try adding some different foods in, although it's a different story with Cupcake. But that could at least make her more comfortable.

 

[Lemon-Drop]

Unfortunately, I'm not experienced with this, I'm so sorry

That's alright, thank you!

I would try these things, if I were you.
1. See at vet. He/she can definitely give you a diagnosis on what's wrong with your chicken. The sooner the better.
2. I would get Emeraid's avian nutrition formula. A prescription is required from your vet, if he/she doesn't have it in stock. I would give it to her via a plastic syringe (amazon) and feed her. We once had a chicken with gout who wouldn't eat, but gave her the nutrition formula to give her calories and make her stronger, and she responded and was eating on her own within a few days.
3. Get Elector PSP for chicken mites. It's harmless to humans and chickens, but it works really well.

These are the syringes we used:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09FZ4ZF1R/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

We feed her morning and night one full syringe (1 1/2 syringes if she can eat it). Mix the formula in water so that it isn't too thick or too thin. So that the syringe can pick it up.

Here is link to Emeraid formula:
https://www.vetrxdirect.com/product/view/emeraid-intensive-care-diet-for-omnivores-rx

Hope your vet has it in stock since I think time is of the essence. If not, you can put an order in and have your vet send them the prescription.

Chickens can be purchased for a few bucks, but they steal your heart. We did (and are doing) a lot to keep our chickens healthy and happy. Your birds mostly likely have Marek's since most backyard chickens have it (heard from our vet). I'm not sure if this is the issue, but your vet can give your a definitive diagnosis.

Thank you for the advice! Unfortunately a vet is probably not an option if I have to unfortunately be realistic. There's no great avian vets near me (the only one last time said to put the chicken down when we went there).

For the Elector PSP, I use Permectrin II which I think is pretty similar.

In your pictures one can see quite a parasite infestation. She must be very anaemic.

Feeding her raw beef liver with eggyolk and brewers yeast will help to rebuild red blood cells.

View attachment 3956991

Wow, I've definitely noticed the mites on her back and legs, but I hadn't realized they were on her face. I've already done three mite treatments within the last month using Permectrin II (diluted in a spray bottle). What else can I try? None of my other chickens have mite infestations. Would that be the sole cause for the leg paralysis as well, or are the mites a result of Mareks perhaps?

 

[LaFleche]

Wow, I've definitely noticed the mites on her back and legs, but I hadn't realized they were on her face. I've already done three mite treatments within the last month using Permectrin II (diluted in a spray bottle). What else can I try? None of my other chickens have mite infestations.

You can use a blow torch to kill the mites in the coop which often live in the crevices and on the underside of the roosting bars. Give them the hot treatment every morning and evening and you will hear satisfying crackling noises as they get fried.

But be careful not to set the coop on fire and always keep a full water bucket handy just in case.

For the mites on her face and skin you can use sticky tape. Just dab her skin with the sticky side and the mites will get stuck to it.

You can also add some poultry dust to their ususal dust bathing spots of your flock, so they will constantly treat themselves.

Would that be the sole cause for the leg paralysis as well, or are the mites a result of Mareks perhaps?

Severe anaemia causes weakness, shortness of breath, neurological issues, nausea etc.
And having Marek's in your flock does not help the situation.

 

[Lemon-Drop]

You can use a blow torch to kill the mites in the coop which often live in the crevices and on the underside of the roosting bars. Give them the hot treatment every morning and evening and you will hear satisfying crackling noises as they get fried.

But be careful not to set the coop on fire and always keep a full water bucket handy just in case.

For the mites on her face and skin you can use sticky tape. Just dab her skin with the sticky side and the mites will get stuck to it.

You can also add some poultry dust to their ususal dust bathing spots of your flock, so they will constantly treat themselves.

Ok, thanks! I'm still a minor so I'm not sure how my family would feel about me using a blow torch in a wooden structure, but I can check.

Severe anaemia causes weakness, shortness of breath, neurological issues, nausea etc.
And having Marek's in your flock does not help the situation.

I don't know that we have Mareks, it's not a confirmed diagnosis. I only suspect there might be a chance of Marek's after reading some articles and looking at her symptoms.

 

[LaFleche]

Ok, thanks! I'm still a minor so I'm not sure how my family would feel about me using a blow torch in a wooden structure, but I can check.

Yes! In your case it would be better to have an adult doing it or stay at your side to supervise the procedure.

Always make sure that the coop is empty of all bedding etc. before starting to work with a blow torch and always keep it moving back and forth, up and down alongside the wall, roosts, etc. so the heat will not start a fire, but kill the parasites by just passing the flame near them.

 

[Clucktown]

How is your hen? Elector PSP would be the best solution for the mites. Marek's would be a strong possiblility, unfortunately. Closely monitor your flock for limping, droopy wings, paralysis, wasting, congestion.

 

[Chikn-Wisperer]

With regards to Marek's disease, our vet told us a story about this. He had a person who wanted brand new chicks innoculated against Marek's disease. They were barely hatched when he innoculated all of them. They had no outside contact with the world, and there was no way they could have been exposed to Marek's before innoculation. However, a few of them still developed Marek's disease and died from it. So even if you have chicks that have been innoculated, more than likely, most backyard chickens are carriers of Marek's. There will be a few who die from it, but most, I hope, will survive.