Hen can't walk...

[InParadise]

Quote:
May I ask why?

 

[Nightwind83]

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

You can actually buy pills of just niacin right in you walmart vitamin isle. Your supermarket might have it to, or an all natural store. I crushed one up for her food and one for her water. I was feeding Blue Seal at the time but now I am feeding Flock Raiser and so far there haven't been any more problems.​

 

[Tomhusker]

I have a Jersey Giant cockerel who was developing some walking and standing issues a few weeks back. I found a thread on here that included information on a Vitamin B therapy to treat the nerves in the extremities. My guy was pretty much immobile for the better part of a week when I was doing this treatment. But he made a complete recovery and is now out in the main flock. It was a big help reading it. I will swear by the therapy.

 

[bobby d]

I have a pullet doing the samething right now. I've been asking on here what it could be but no response. We noticed her not walking very well the other day, laying around more than the others and not jumping up on the roost at night. She's still eating and drinking but has lost lots of weight. I have no idea what's going on. I'm feeding purina starter still cuz their 4 mos old. I hope everyone's birds get to feeling better.

 

[gayleage]

Hi all,
We have a year and a half old barred rock rooster who has been isolated from the girls recently due to his decision to attack one of the hens. He has been fine until almost a week ago, when I went out and found him laid out on his side. I honestly thought he was dead, but he wasn't. Brought him in the basement, and put him in a dog crate thinking he would be dead when I got home from work. He wouldn't eat or drink for two days, and every time I went to check on him, I figured he would be dead. By the fourth day, he was sort of standing up (on one leg braced against the side of the crate) and will eat and drink when I offer it to him. Going to see how he does as it goes along, but I am thinking head trauma? No marks on his body, but his pupils are dilating and constricting in a way that looks funny, and he might has what might be some dried blood around his nostrils. I thought possibly some poisonous plant, but he doesn't free range, and there is nothing left growing in the pen. Also thought about a possible snake bite, although I can't find any marks. He is not extremely coodinated when he eats, but at least he can get it down now. None of the girls have had any symptoms of anything being wrong at all, and still don't. I guess I am wondering how long I should attempt to help him out before I have to make the decision to put him out of my misery - lol. Anybody ever had this happen and had one recover, and if so, how long before they were back to normal?

 

[ZooMummzy]

I am going through this very same thing right now with my year old Silkie rooster. He has slowly lost strength in both his legs though he can stand on them and walk (even run at times) - he is just a bit slower and uncoordinated. He still eats fine and drinks ok, is very normal in every respect except this weakness. I have started him on a regime of Vit B and E which has helped in the past with other strength/muscle issues. I'm hopeful since his will to live seems strong. It's odd we are all having this same issue and all the chickens are of different ages.

 

[thechickonthehill]

Well I got the lab report back on my bird - but I still don't know what was wrong with him! They have listed under "Diagnosis", as "lymphoproliferative disease". When I looked this up it appears to be an increase in the production of lymphocytes which is due to something else going on in the system (this is a greatly simplified definition but what I got out of it anyway). The lab report does not definitely state anything as the "something else" under the diagnosis portion. However, under "Diagnosis Comments" they have "Histologic evidence of infiltrative lymphocytes and plasma cells within the multiple organ systems is highly suggestive of Marek's disease.". They also performed several tests for various diseases that he tested negative for (Marek's was not listed as having been tested for). So it sounds like they are leaning towards Marek's but couldn't positively identify it?

I am going to try to talk with the vet that performed the necropsy today and get some translation hopefully. I think lab reports should have a paragraph on the bottom that begins "In layman's terms this means . . . ."

.

 

[tammye]

Try Vit B12, I had a hen last week unable to walk, but otherwise seemed fine. Looked up problem here and found info on Vit. B deficiency. It worked , she is fine now after a week of treatment. I got Vit B pills, the ones you can pull apart and sprinkled the power on some corn, a favorite, and she is now back with the flock and comes over to me everyday to say thanks! Hope this helps. I would not have believed it if I had not seen it myself. I now give all my girls some Vit B12 and will continue to give them some each month to keep them strong.

 

[RockyToggRanch]

I've started giving mine nutridrench in her water and she's getting stronger every day.

 

[ZooMummzy]

My roo recovered on his own. No idea what it was but I hope everyone else has good luck too.