Help, Limping Chicken

[Harry Rooster]

Yes, thank you, I went to his site, he charges $25.00 per consultation, but he only accepts credit card payment, and I don't have one. Don't want one either. Also can't post pictures online, I've been told it's because I only have dial-up and it won't transfer? so that makes it a little more complicated. I saw a picture the other day where this chicken or rooster (don't remember which) had a huge black infectious hole-sore on the side of his face and neck, and they were discussing it, but I don't remember who it was or the post title cause at that time I was researching other issues and he didn't have that problem at the time.

 

[casportpony]

2 days ago our 6 year old hen couldn't walk on her right leg, if she did it was for a short distance and she just balled up her foot and hobbled on it.  I did some research on Mereks and I don't think she has that, she is normal in every way, eyes clear and just chats with you when you talk to her, she doesn't seem to be in any pain if she is laying down...which she does mostly.  She has an appetite and makes her way to the food and water.  I looked into lack of Riboflavin as causing her sciatic nerve to swell and be the cause I'm sceptic because right now they are mostly feed fed.  I gave her some beef liver today and will do that twice a day.  Any other thoughts on what might be causing this?  

If I had to guess, I would say it's Merek's, but my opinion is a little biased since I have a bunch with Merek's in my flock.

 

[casportpony]

Sad to say that Lucy is free ranging in chicken heaven today.  Thanks for all of your ideas, and suggestions.  It's great to have such a dedicated network of chicken lovers.

So sorry for your loss.

 

[chicknmania]

well, you could try calling a university that has an animal science curriculum. At OSU they have a poultry expert, and I have called there in the past and they were helpful. You could also try emailing the chicken doctor (Peter Brown) and just explain your circumstances, that you don't have a credit card. He might be able to do something for you.

 

[Harry Rooster]

well, you could try calling a university that has an animal science curriculum. At OSU they have a poultry expert, and I have called there in the past and they were helpful. You could also try emailing the chicken doctor (Peter Brown) and just explain your circumstances, that you don't have a credit card. He might be able to do something for you.

Thanks, I'll probably try that, maybe I can get some answers anyway.

 

[kamuelamom]

Hi all

First, to the original poster, I am sorry for your loss.

I have a hen who is experiencing the same thing. Three weeks ago she was lying down for most of the day. I thought she was egg bound so I soaked her without incident and she bounced back the next day. She began laying again and something strange looking expelled (not sure if it was from her but I highly suspect it was) so that answered that, or so I thought.

Yesterday I found her in a prone position when I went to the chicken yard. I thought she was being hen pecked for the moment, but noticed she was wet and couldn't get up. I suspected she was out all night but will never really know since that night was the one night I did not do my usual head count in the hen house. When I tried to pick her up I noticed she could barely walk. Then slowly she bobbled towards the food (a great sign) but was noticibly limping on her right leg. She managed to get herself up the ladder and into the hen house where she stayed for most of the day (I think - I had to leave so I could not watch her all day). She roosted high up, apparently to protect herself from being pecked, but later when she returned out into the yard, one of my other easter eggers (her sister) began to heavily peck her, and she again layed in the prone position, vulnerable and unable to get up. I then decided to separate her and kept her in a private pen for the night. She gobbled up some feed and drank a lot of water - apparently a sign that she hadn't eaten all day.

This morning there is no improvement. She is lying down in the pen and when she is able to stand, she favors the right leg and hobbles around to move. I don't know what is wrong with her.

 

[kamuelamom]

Another thing is that she seemed to have diarrhea all night but this morning it looked like she actually pooped normally. Her right wing also seemed a little limp yesterday but looks okay today.

 

[seminolewind]

If she got on the high roost and is eating, that's good. You can make her a sling to sit in, I did mine with an old towel and cutting 3 holes in it for legs and poop. It's odd that she can make it up the roost but lies down outside.

You may think about coccidiosis, I don't know if that's it. And you may want to think about her eating something bad, just injured, or even Marek's

Keep updating!

 

[kamuelamom]

UPDATE: After two days in the infirmary, there is little change, if any, to her condition. The good news is that she is still eating and drinking, and today she even laid an egg! I have been taking her outside to scratch around and look for worms. By all indication, she is doing all her chicken things (scratching, eating worms, etc,) but her foot is still very still and she holds it up a lot. Her walking is extremely tentative so she can't move too fast. Currently her sister is in the egg box, but she is the one who has been attacking her pretty viciously. The other 21 hens don't seem to mind her at all.

Question: Should I continue to isolate her? If it is a disease (like Marek's) what kind of timeline am I looking at for symptoms to worsten? If it is a sprain, what is a reasonable time for improvement? If it's a disease, should I even consider re-integrating her back into the flock? I am currently thinking of keeping the mean hen in isolation, since she is the only one who picks on her. I may even give the mean girl away, but I don't want Henny Penny (injured/sick bird) to live in isolation forever if it's not necessary.

What to do? Any input would be helpful?

 

[PoultryPedia]

I just wanted to say I'm sorry she's been having a hard time & am glad you are looking after her kindly. I hope she can get well.

I don't have much in-depth knowledge on Marek's or food-poisoning (botulism) so I can't contribute much help that say, but I hope someone else can contribute more info??