Hen can't walk

[capow21]

I posted yesterday about my hen limping. Today she doesn't want to put weight on either foot. She tries to stand on her toes and use her wings to balance. It's almost like it's the bottom of the foot (pad looking part) that she doesn't want to have weight on. But, why suddenly both legs now?

I'm going to separate her.

It all started about five days ago. She was limping a little on her left leg only when she would run. The next day she limped when she walked also. Now it's getting worse and worse. Now she won't stand or walk on either. Her toes are strong. I don't see anything visibly wrong. I don't see any swelling. She is eating and drinking. She has been laying for a little over a week. I got an egg from her Friday and yesterday I watched her lay a shell-less egg, so I don't think she is egg bound.

I really don't think it's the Bumblefoot thing. I don't see any scabs or marks, plus it's now both feet just in the last 24 hours. She doesn't seem to mind when I touch her feet/legs and move them around.

She is a Rhode Island Red, about 5 1/2 months old. I saw her poop once yesterday and it looked normal color. There's a total of nine hens and a Rooster. They were on an all-purpose poultry feed until two days ago, I switched them to a Layer Pellet since a few are starting to lay now. They get to free-range at least 2-3 hours a day. They have free access to oyster shell. I put apple cider vinegar in their water. I don't feed any spoiled food or sugar or anything like that to them. Haven't spotted any mites or anything. The coop floor is plywood covered with sand and I keep herbs in the nest boxes that help keep out mites and other things like that. Mice can't get into the actual coop, only the run. There are rabbits (someone raising them let a couple out and never caught them, so now there are at least 5-6 white rabbits hopping around) and neighbors in the area have cats. So, when they're free-ranging they are exposed to rabbit/cat poop or whatever they could be carrying, I guess.

I haven't wormed them since they aren't even 6 months yet. Plus I haven't seen any worms in any poop. All of the others seem healthy.

I think that's about all the info I can think to give. If anyone has any ideas or any more questions to help diagnose it would be much appreciated. Vitamin/nutrient deficiency?

I don't think we have a vet that sees chickens and it's Sunday, so the feed stores aren't open, so I'm limited on things I can give to her for today. I do have yogurt, oatmeal, some things like that.

Any ideas? Thank you.

 

[FlyHigher]

I am not an expert, but it sounds like Arthritis to me. It can cause limp too. Maybe you can do some research on it. Good luck!

 

[capow21]

Thank you. I just read a little on it. I guess that is one thing to consider. I was thinking possible Merek's, but her legs aren't paralyzed, because she can squeeze her toes together and she can stand somewhat, she just looks like she's too weak or it's too painful to stand and walk on them. She kind of crawls a foot or two when she wants to. She will cackle a little, like she is happy. I sat her food and water by her so she doesn't have to move to get to it and she eats and drinks on her own and gobbled down some grass I gave to her. She lays with her feet under her, so he weight must not hurt them.

Does anyone know of any vitamins I can try giving her for today without having to go to the feed store (since it's Sunday) or any pain relievers I might have on hand? I have been reading quite a few things about lack of certain vitamins/nutrients that could contribute to this. Seems that other chickens would be experiencing this though since they all eat the same things. Unless her body works differently.

 

[capow21]

I also just noticed she is getting a running nose. It's clear. No color to the discharge.

 

[capow21]

Nevermind. That stopped.