Hen can't walk

[MyLove4Chickens]

Hi everyone, I have a Cochin chicken around 5+ months old. She looks great, eating and drinking but can't stand or walk. Her poop looks normal. Her eyes are normal. There's no sign of respiratory , bugs, or injury. I was thinking Marek's disease or lacking vitamins but all the other hens look great. I have her on Vitiamins and electrolytes. Can someone help? Thank you!

 

[Kiki]

Welcome to BYC.
How long has she not been able to walk?
Did it happen over night or did she lose the use of her legs on at a time?
Can you post a picture of her?

 

[luvmigirls]

I probably can not help, but wanted to convey a sympathic note to you. That is great you are caring for her that she is thriving despite not being able to walk. I had a chicken hit by a car who could not stand for almost two months. She, with daily attention, slowly started to heal and began to awkwardly stand again. It was amazing to watch her heal.
Questions:
Does the joint bend and flex appropriately?
Was there any illness or injury?
was she able to walk normally after hatch?
Are her legs Splayed, deformed or afflicted by any abnormality?

I hope someone can help you better then I, and keep up the good work keeping her healthy and warm!

 

[4 Georgia Hens]

Has she layed yet? I had a similar problem with a silkie. Is it that she CAN walk, but she WON'T? If there are no signs of illness, she may have an egg waiting to come out. My silkies egg was waiting in between her legs. Give her some crushed oyster shells (free choice), scrambled eggs (extra protein), and some high-quality layer food. Keep her hydrated. If there is a vet near you that sees chickens, take her there to get an opinion from a professional! Good luck!

 

[MyLove4Chickens]

It was over two or three days. She hasn't laid yet. I have been giving her mealworms and scrambled eggs. It's very frustrating to see her this way. She tries to stand but just falls to her side.

 

[MyLove4Chickens]

I probably can not help, but wanted to convey a sympathic note to you. That is great you are caring for her that she is thriving despite not being able to walk. I had a chicken hit by a car who could not stand for almost two months. She, with daily attention, slowly started to heal and began to awkwardly stand again. It was amazing to watch her heal.




Questions:
Does the joint bend and flex appropriately? Yes

Was there any illness or injury? Not that I can see

was she able to walk normally after hatch? Yes no problems

Are her legs Splayed, deformed or afflicted by any abnormality? Not at all


I hope someone can help you better then I, and keep up the good work keeping her healthy and warm!

Thank you so much!

 

[Eggcessive]

Unfortunately, she is at an age where Mareks could show up, but hopefully, it is something else, such as an injury, vitamin or mineral deficiency, or something else. Can you see if she can move her toes or both legs and wings. Stand her up and see if she will put weight on either leg. Look for toes curled under. Give some vitamin B Complex (1/2 tablet crushed in some food once a day) or a poultry vitamin in her water that contains riboflavin (vitamin B 2.) Chopped liver and hamburger have lots of B vitamins. Let us know if she gets better or worse. Make sure that she can reach food and water.

 

[Feathere6Girls]

I have the same issue... my sweet Silkie is 5 months and about a week ago she stopped walking on her one leg. She eats, poops everything else is normal. She falls all over the place when she tries to walk and her right leg just does want to cooperate. I'm considering giving her an injection of an antibiotic but have no idea what to try...also considered trying my prednisone. Please advise. Our options are limited as far as vets that treat chickens around here. Someone please advise.

 

[4 Georgia Hens]

I have the same issue... my sweet Silkie is 5 months and about a week ago she stopped walking on her one leg. She eats, poops everything else is normal. She falls all over the place when she tries to walk and her right leg just does want to cooperate. I'm considering giving her an injection of an antibiotic but have no idea what to try...also considered trying my prednisone. Please advise. Our options are limited as far as vets that treat chickens around here. Someone please advise.

Look at my post on this thread!

 

[MyLove4Chickens]

Questions:
Does the joint bend and flex appropriately? Yes

Was there any illness or injury? Not that I can see

was she able to walk normally after hatch? Yes no problems

Are her legs Splayed, deformed or afflicted by any abnormality? Not at all


I hope someone can help you better then I, and keep up the good work keeping her healthy and warm!



Thank you so much!

Unfortunately, she is at an age where Mareks could show up, but hopefully, it is something else, such as an injury, vitamin or mineral deficiency, or something else. Can you see if she can move her toes or both legs and wings. Stand her up and see if she will put weight on either leg. Look for toes curled under. Give some vitamin B Complex (1/2 tablet crushed in some food once a day) or a poultry vitamin in her water that contains riboflavin (vitamin B 2.) Chopped liver and hamburger have lots of B vitamins. Let us know if she gets better or worse. Make sure that she can reach food and water.