Hen can't walk, stool on bottom

[ResoluteES]

I went out to the coop today and I found that our Rhode Island Red, Rhode Island White mix chicken can't walk. She is sitting with her feet out in front of her like a person. She is eating (she was eating when I found her). She tried to come to me, and it sounded like she passed gas with the effort. There is stool on her bottom and her vent is bright pink. I put her back in the hen house (it was very cold here last night and if she couldn't get in where it was warm I am sure that made it worse) and sat her by the food, which she started to chow down immediately.

She is a big chicken and an excellent layer. They are going through molt and we haven't had eggs in about a week. The weather has changed to fall. I live in MIchigan. They eat an organic vegetarian layer formula and free range. All of the other chickens (different varieties) are all fine. She doesn't feel "full" if anything a little less that usual. There are no visual wounds or anything I could find. She is a year and a half old.

Thanks for your help, poor baby.

Beckie

 

[leadwolf1]

First, isolate her from the rest of the flock.

Is there anyway she could have gotten into moldy food? Check out threads on botulism.

Have you ever had this happen before? Any new chickens in the last 6 months?

 

[ResoluteES]

No it hasn't happened before, no new chickens. My husband threw the leftovers from the garden in there last week (they love to eat the plants) so moldy is possible I guess, although everything looks ok. The food in the feeder looks good too. I will read up on botulism, thanks.

Beckie

 

[leadwolf1]

Becky...good luck with your hen. I don't know of anything else that would put her down like that except for Marek's and your flock history doesn't support it.

How long have you had your hen?

 

[ResoluteES]

We have had her since she was a few days old, got her last spring. I am sad, because she is my favorite chicken. She loves me. I have separated her, brought her into the garage, given her some warm molasses flush and some food. I will see how she is when I get home from work. I don't want her to suffer.

I searched everywhere and can't find anything with mold. I did find algae in a waterer that must have been changed the last time my son changed buckets. I got rid of that immediately, and cleaned out the regular waterer, just in case.

I also shut them all in the coop in case, but she hasn't been out of the coop in several days. I have a few that are escapees, but she isn't one of them.

 

[leadwolf1]

Any moldy bedding? I'm just grasping at straws here.

 

[ResoluteES]

I really didn't find much, I added more fluffy bedding in case they were cold. I am getting my straw this weekend to insulate their coop. I hope my son doesn't come home to find her dead in the garage. My vet gave me dex to give her when I get home to bring down inflammation. We can't even get a hold of tetracycline right now to try on her.

I will keep you updated.

 

[leadwolf1]

Thank you, and good luck!