Help Please! pics UPDATE: she died =o(

[ovaunda]

I have one chicken (Miss Ray Ray) that is bow legged. She is short and really fat and acts like she wants to lay. She is semi active, gets up to eat and drink and loves treat time. Her comb looks flat with no real definition, looks like it got smashed. She' is a sweetheart but seems to want to be off on her own. We moved the nesting box up today and she seems content to stay there where she doesn't get walked over by the others. She's about 12 weeks old. Is this something to be concerned about?

Here are some pics.

 

[ovaunda]

Today I noticed she had become very lethargic and only takes a few steps before laying down. She seems interested in food and water but the others push by her and she gives up. Our roo is insistent on having his way with her (is that a good sign??) Her wings seem to fall to the wayside as she lays. She seemed to want to nest in the nesting box. I finally moved her into the house tonight. I think she's too young to lay but not sure. She acts like she wants to lay - she seems to be straining to push. I gave her a warm soak and she seemed to enjoy it. After drying her I put her in a large dog crate with food and water, she was not interested. I have given her water with an eye dropper and now she is moving around a little more freely and tries to spread her wings. She is eating feed and some yogurt. I have given her sugar water and she drinks a little but not much. She is pooping ok, they started runny but now are harder and round with a "normal" color. I am too new to know what I am looking for as all indications are that she is eggbound. I have been putting a moist warm cloth over her back which seems to soothe her.

I really am at a loss, this is my daughters and I would hate to lose her - we lost her first one (Sunshine) when she was a chick. My daughter is at her grandma's for a few weeks this summer and I really don't want to have to give her bad news. ANY help would be great...I am sooooooo new to all this. Hubby says I put too much effort but it breaks my heart not to try.

 

[Guitartists]

I hope someone comes along that can help with this..... she looks like such a sweetheart! I completely understand about your daughter and your want/need to keep her well.

My only thought is that possibly the deformity that causes her bowed legs could possibly interfere with egg laying. But, I am no expert, and that may not even be an issue... just a thought.

I hope all works out for you and Miss Ray Ray

 

[ovaunda]

Is it possible she's had a stroke? She tries to stand but she falls to her left side. Her left leg seems to flop and she uses her wing to balance herself. She tries to use the leg but it gives out when she puts any weight on it. She is alert and clucks softly, almost like a purr when I talk to her. She eats the yogurt and feed freely but doesn't seem to want the oyster shell, she pushes it around with her beak. I can get her to drink using the eye dropper and holding it to her beak in small drops, she takes it freely.

I have moved the leg around and moved her toes, she doesn't seem to be in pain but of course wouldn't be if she can't feel it. She is still pooping normal, solid with a little white but does not move to get out of it, every morning I have to change the newspaper and clean her off. Should I try Terramycin? Is there any recovering from this?

I really cannot bring myself to put her down and hubby says he won't do it. He said to let nature take it's course. I really hope some of you more seasoned "pros" can offer advice.

 

[Guitartists]

I wish I knew

I'm sure someone here will have some idea of what is happening and what to do about it! Your updated title should draw some folks soon... hang in there!

 

[DuckLady]

12 weeks is too young to lay. Her comb and wattle development says she is just a baby.

It sounds like she is injured and if the roo is mating her, he may have injured her. I would separate her. and see how she does. If she is eating and pooping fine, then she just needs time to heal. Are there any open wounds from the rooster's spurs on her?

 

[cajunlizz]

Quote:
I agree with all that have told you so far. She sure is a BIG 12 week old .

 

[ovaunda]

I cannot see any open wounds on her. We got her in April and she was a few weeks old so best guess is that she is 12-14 weeks old. She was from a straight run so it's best guess.

Here are some updated pics. She really is a sweetheart.

 

[jjthink]

Poor girl. I'm hoping it's just a temporary roo-caused injury and that with the rest and separation recommended you'll see improvement soon (it may take time which is okay). In the meantime, the only 2 cents I have to add is that great nutrition will hopefully speed her healing. With regard to pain - it would seem she'd have some if injured - then maybe aspirin. Just a question to others out there -I've never had occasion to give aspirin to one so young - is this okay? If you get confirmation that it's okay, you can crush one baby aspirin (81 mg) - NO ASPIRIN SUBSTITUTES - per cup of water (this is the rough equivalent to the usual dose recommended on BYC which is FIVE 325 mg aspirins per gallon of water)
Hoping things will get better soon.
JJ

 

[Katy]

Have her legs always been like that or is that just recent? If they've always been like that there's definately some type of hip deformity.