Hen can't walk.... why?

[ranchgirlcooks]

A few days ago I went in the coop and I noticed my one 5 month old RIR ever so slightly limping. Over the next few days it had gotten worse to where she would take a few steps and have to lie down and rest to now she can't use her legs at all and her feet are kind of curled up. She has a good appetite and is eating well, just can't move her legs. She can kind of shuffle around with her wings but she only will move a few inches.

She shares a coop with 6 other hens and a rooster, they all seem fine. I do have her separated so that she does not get picked on. Still in the coop but separate. We bring her food and water to her.

Any ideas on what I could do? Thank you all in advance....we are just a few weeks in to our chicken experience and love it but I feel a little hopeless for this little hen.

 

[Bantamz]

Is she heavier than normal?

 

[justplainbatty]

A few days ago I went in the coop and I noticed my one 5 month old RIR ever so slightly limping. Over the next few days it had gotten worse to where she would take a few steps and have to lie down and rest to now she can't use her legs at all and her feet are kind of curled up. She has a good appetite and is eating well, just can't move her legs. She can kind of shuffle around with her wings but she only will move a few inches.

She shares a coop with 6 other hens and a rooster, they all seem fine. I do have her separated so that she does not get picked on. Still in the coop but separate. We bring her food and water to her.

Any ideas on what I could do? Thank you all in advance....we are just a few weeks in to our chicken experience and love it but I feel a little hopeless for this little hen.

Welcome to our flock!

Were your birds vaccinated for Mareks? It could be that if she is getting all the vitamins and good food she needs. Has she started laying yet? here is a link about Mareks https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq please ask any more q's you may have or update symptoms, we are here for you.

 

[ranchgirlcooks]

Doesn't seem to be heavier.

 

[ranchgirlcooks]

I did not vaccinate them. I should also say that this hen is one of 3 RIR that were all the same age (about 4 months) that I bought from a lady here in town. Within 2 days of bringing the hens home, I found one of them behind the nesting box with it's neck all twisted to the back of it's body and could not walk. The woman took that hen and tried some things but had to put her down after a few days. I'm not sure if it's related. This one the neck is fine and has a great appetite, the other could not/would not eat or drink.

 

[justplainbatty]

I did not vaccinate them. I should also say that this hen is one of 3 RIR that were all the same age (about 4 months) that I bought from a lady here in town. Within 2 days of bringing the hens home, I found one of them behind the nesting box with it's neck all twisted to the back of it's body and could not walk. The woman took that hen and tried some things but had to put her down after a few days. I'm not sure if it's related. This one the neck is fine and has a great appetite, the other could not/would not eat or drink.

The other one may have had wry neck, other nutritional deficiencies or mareks. Some chickens live through mareks, others don't. I am sorry you are going through this, you'll be learning a lot. Was this a "certified" breeder? Or just some lady? People do not usually give away or sell started pullets (except hatcheries mostly). That is the first sign of trouble unfortunately.

 

[collingwood]

Welcome to BYC!

 

[ranchgirlcooks]

Basically just some lady but very well-known on our local chicken group.

 

[justplainbatty]

Basically just some lady but very well-known on our local chicken group.

Well, maybe it's just some bad luck then (I don't really want to slam people I don't know) and she is surprised and suffering too. it's just something that happens... I still would recommend certified breeders or a hatchery or, do your own vaccinating.....I feel bad for both of you and the birds.

I'm glad you have joined us and maybe she too can learn from you/us.

 

[fairie]

HI,
We are 1 week into dealing with a 5month old that has slowly lost it's mobility. Please see my thread. We also got 3 at the same time and the other 2 are healthy and happy.
I think it is either Marek's or malnutrition.
I am guessing that the cure for both is the same.
But I am not sure, and have not found any concrete evidence from others who have had chickens that recovered from Marek's. I think that would be helpful at this stage.
Good luck, I will check back to see how your both going.