Hen can't walk...

[Jarsheart]

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I am so sorry for your loss. I am in a similar situation with two hens. One was put down on Friday. How old was your rooster ?

 

[RockyToggRanch]

In all of the yrs of having chickens, I have never seen this. So far none of the others has any symptoms.

 

[thechickonthehill]

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I am so sorry for your loss. I am in a similar situation with two hens. One was put down on Friday. How old was your rooster ?

He was 19 weeks. I search the web as well as BYC looking for reports of similar problems in a bird as old as this and found only a few. His legs were not paralyzed. He could move them, he just got to where he couldn't get them under him any more. I really don't think its Mareks from what I have read about the disease. He never acted sick at all - he just gradually lost the use of his legs. Hopefully the lab report will be in soon.

 

[Nightwind83]

I don't know if this will help but I had a duck this spring who did the excact same thing. It turned out she had a Niacin deffinciency. I seperated her and started sprinkling Niacin on her food and in her water and within a week and a half she was up and walking around again. Best luck with you girl!

 

[RockyToggRanch]

Where would I find niacin? In a human vitamin? interesting....

 

[catholder]

Today I am going to add electrolytes to her water (all I have is emergen-C) - I am also feeding her a mixture of layer pellets, boiled egg yolks, honey, vitamins powder, grated apples and carrots, egg shells and yogurt (with healthy bacteria) - she loves it.
Good Luck -

 

[RockyToggRanch]

Just out of curiosity...what brand of feed was everyone using when they had this issue? Also...were your birds free ranging or not?

 

[InParadise]

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I was/am using Purina. My birds were not free ranging yet as they were still young.

 

[catholder]

My birds get a local feed from Onante - I refuse to use Purina - they get layer 22% protein, black oil sunflower seeds and white millet (as a treat)... as well as fresh produce daily and oatmeal. I have 26 birds (chickens, guinea fowl and a turkey) and no one else is acting like this one... I'm wondering if she got hurt from getting off the roost or one of the roosters was too rough - although her legs seem fine - she just can't hold her body weight up straight. Also - what about broody hens maybe she really wants to be broody but is missing something... doesn't SOMEONE know what is happening?...
Thanks for at least starting to pull together something...

 

[thechickonthehill]

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This particular bird did not free range although my layer flock does. I feed Purina brand feeds also - this bird was getting Flock Raiser.