Ginger won't walk

[calibirdgang]

She passed a egg finally after being egg bound for two days i believe. Now she is having a really hard time moving around. She doesn't run and she can hardly walk without falling over or just giving up and laying down. She seems to be eating well, drinking well, and pooping fine. I have 5 chickens but i keep ginger with just one for the time being so she's not lonely. I notice she falls asleep very easy. Is she just tired? has anyone else had a chicken that was egg bound that didn't recover well? thanks I am very worried i love that little chicken.

 

[enola]

What is her body condition like? Is she thin? What does her poop look like? Has she been wormed?

 

[calibirdgang]

She's always been one of the smaller from the three we bought from the feed store. Her body seems full and she is eating/drinking well. She pooped before she laid the stuck egg and after she laid the stuck egg she had some big poops that were surrounded by the white stuff. I don't know if she has been wormed, maybe? if they do that before you buy them. I just feel horrible I noticed this all started when I saw her straining to lay an egg in an unusual area of their space. I wanted to see since Ive never seen a chicken lay an egg so i sat and watched but she never did.
The next day i went to buy calcium, gloves and vasoline. I gave her a warm bath and lubed her up down there.. Put her back in the pen with one other chicken and she laid the egg 3 hours later. It was covered with a bit of dark orange or possibly watered down red colored stuff. It wasn't a lot of stuff on the egg but I have noticed 95% of the eggs she and her sisters have ever laid have always come out pretty darn clean.
At first I thought she was just exhausted but I took extra precaution and gave her more calcium, also selenium/vitamin E oil at different times mixed with baby food. I now have her secluded because she won't walk much and seems to hurt or bother her when she does. I have been holding her and she falls asleep immediately, which tugs at my heart more I just want her to be able to do that silly chicken run across the yard that she and her sisters do.

 

[calibirdgang]

I forgot to mention she is using her wings to try to balance herself, it does seem that one foot or side of herself is bothering her more than the other. She falls to the left. I think it could be Mareks but I don't understand why the stuck egg? are they related? She is a little red hen.

 

[Eggcessive]

Here is an except from a good link about Mareks that lists other reasons for leg weakness: https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq

• Egg Binding is obviously only a concern in hens, but an egg bound hen will often squat, lay down, act lethargic, and seem as if she can not use her legs properly. She may waddle, or fall over easily, or use her wings for balance. Severe egg binding or internal laying and other reproductive problems can also cause a hen to "walk like a penguin". If you have a hen displaying ANY of these signs, it is important to check her for egg binding right away before trying any other treatments. Egg bound hens must be assisted quickly as they can die rapidly depending on where the egg is. A cloacal exam may be necessary. Though this seems rude, it may save her life. Using a glove and a lubricated finger, feel inside and up her vent to see if you can feel an egg. More information and treatment: http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/07/chicken-egg-binding-causes-symptoms.html
• Hypocalcemia / Layer Fatigue is another problem that is only a concern in hens. A pullet or hen that becomes very suddenly paralyzed may be experiencing this condition. It arises from hypocalcemia (extreme lack of calcium) while her body is putting the shell on her egg during her egg laying cycle. Even hens that are being supplemented with calcium in their diets can experience this either due to lack of uptake in calcium (osteoporosis), simply not eating the supplied calcium, or from a lack of phosphorus or vitamin D3 which are both essential in the proper processing of calcium in her body. Death can occur rapidly. If this condition is suspect, offering a large and immediate dose of calcium can save the hen's life. Crushed calcium tablets (such as Tums), crushed oystershell or even limestone can be fed directly. This condition is more often seen in production breeds such as red sex-links, ISA browns, etc. More reading on this and long term care:http://www.merckmanuals.com/vet/pou...teoporosis_or_cage_layer_fatigue_poultry.html