Help with our bantam — Nothing is working

[Mrs J]

She is gorgeous she looks just like my Dottie. @azygous has far more experience and knowledge than me, so you are in the best hands. She is a very lucky girl to have you, wishing you and your girl the best.

 

[azygous]

Put on a rubber glove and stick a finger into her vent where you see the bulge below the opening.Be very gentle. It's important to know of there's an egg at the "door" or if that bulge is just fat.

 

[stephlynch]

Thank you! I tried twice and while being very gentle with just my pinky, I can't say I feel an egg. Unless it could be a soft shell.

If it's not an egg bound issue, is there another obvious thing that could cause her leg to go lame?

I am happy to start her on antibiotics if that might help / wouldn't hurt.

Thanks everyone

 

[LaFleche]

is there another obvious thing that could cause her leg to go lame?

Was she vaccinated against Marek's Disease?

Did you add any new chickens to your flock recently?

 

[stephlynch]

Was she vaccinated against Marek's Disease?

Did you add any new chickens to your flock recently?

She was vaccinated against Marek's, yes, and we did add new chickens but that was several months ago. Thank you!

 

[azygous]

Lameness is one of the most difficult things to figure out. It can have so many causes. One is a vitamin B deficiency. Giving a B-complex tablet daily for a few weeks may fix it. It's worth a try. Unlike an antibiotic, there's no overdosing issue or issue with developing a tolerance. Therefore, unless we figure out your hen has an infection, let's reserve the use of the antibiotic for later.

The bulge can be simply fat as fat does tend to accumulate in the rumble seat. But so does infection. Let's see what the calcium does in the short term. The bulge may disappear if it's an egg.

How is she behaving? Is she eating and drinking? is she moving around or is she lethargic and sleepy?

 

[stephlynch]

Lameness is one of the most difficult things to figure out. It can have so many causes. One is a vitamin B deficiency. Giving a B-complex tablet daily for a few weeks may fix it. It's worth a try. Unlike an antibiotic, there's no overdosing issue or issue with developing a tolerance. Therefore, unless we figure out your hen has an infection, let's reserve the use of the antibiotic for later.

The bulge can be simply fat as fat does tend to accumulate in the rumble seat. But so does infection. Let's see what the calcium does in the short term. The bulge may disappear if it's an egg.

How is she behaving? Is she eating and drinking? is she moving around or is she lethargic and sleepy?

Thanks so much, I really appreciate all your help and advice. We will start giving her B-complex tablets right away.

She's still eating and drinking, still alert and curious when we check on her and pick her up. She still sometimes flaps her wings and moves around a bit, but obviously is hindered by her lame leg. She seems to really enjoy the bath and just hangs out calmly in the water. Haven't noticed her being sleepy or lethargic or sickly looking.

 

[azygous]

That's very encouraging news. Lethargy could mean she has an infection. This leans more toward a stuck egg. Patience and the daily calcium and B-complex is your best treatment plan for now.

 

[stephlynch]

Thank you so much! I'll keep you posted

 

[Mrs J]

@azygous @LaFleche could this be vent gleet?