Hen falls over on to back and can't get up.

[1dude]

I have a about 22 week old Buff mix that is having trouble. I first noticed it about 5 days ago that she kind of limped around a bit favoring the left leg. My son said it looked like her head was swollen a bit on one side, but looks normal now. Then I noticed she doesn't flap her left wing and now just roosts on the ground. She still eats and surprisingly the other chickens leave her alone. Well today I found her flat on her back with her legs up in the air, I first though she had died and then seen her head was turned up right. So i went in and picked her and she went on her way. A bit ago the same thing accept she pecked me this time! The coop is completely fenced in so not likely anything got in. I first suspected maybe she got her leg stuck under the edge of the fence and hurt herself trying to get loose. Not really sure whats wrong with her, any ideas?

I found on a yahoo search that a protein deficiency will cause this to happen and to feed her cat food! Anyone?

 

[tdgill]

POSTING GUIDELINES for Emergencies / Diseases and Cures.

Please help us to help you.
When you need to post in the "Emergencies / Diseases and Cures" section please make the title of your thread concise and specific. For example, to title a thread "HELP" or "URGENT" or "EMERGENCY", etc., is not helpful for us or for you. Nor is telling us "my hen is sick, what should I do?" A good example of a new thread subject: "Chicken got into the pool-barely breathing! Help!"

Off topic posts will be moved, with an explanation, to an area better suited to that post.

Give us the following information. The more you tell us, the better we will be able to help you.

1) What type of bird , age and weight (does the chicken seem or feel lighter or thinner than the others.)
2) What is the behavior, exactly.
3) How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms?
4) Are other birds exhibiting the same symptoms?
5) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma.
6) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation.
7) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all.
8) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc.
9) What has been the treatment you have administered so far?
10 ) What is your intent as far as treatment? For example, do you want to treat completely yourself, or do you need help in stabilizing the bird til you can get to a vet?
11) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it. It may help.
12) Describe the housing/bedding in use

Remember that we are not veterinarians. We help based on our own research and experiences.
We cannot monitor the board 24/7, and therefore do not guarantee we can always help, much as we would wish to.
We should never be a replacement if real medical attention is required.
If your situation seems to require a trip to the vet, please do so. It is always a good idea to know of an avian vet in your area in case your situation is bad enough that we cannot help. We encourage you to visit the Reference Forum and read up there before you need the information.

Some important links to read:

Links to disease symptoms and information
Chicken Anatomy
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Thank you!

The BYC Staff

 

[Coupe]

I thought they explained what was wrong pretty well!
Sorry i cant help.. But hopefully someone comes along. All i can add is seperate her from the other birds. Bring her inside, keep her warm.

 

[tdgill]

I'm not saying they didn't explain well.... just trying to help in anyway I can. This is a post from BYC regarding handling requests for help, advice in emergencies. It won't hurt to follow the example.

 

[1dude]

Oops... I won't post in here again, a bit too hostile for me.
Sorry!

 

[amandaj]

Hi
One of my ex battery hens has started this today. She is holding her head twisted upside down. She is very alert but unable to steady herself. Her crop had some food in but not as much as usual. She had a little water when I brought her indoors but didn't want food.
Can anyone advise me please? I am knew to this forum do apologies in advance if I haven't explained enough.
Thank you.

 

[amandaj]

*new

 

[Heiko27]

I would maybe guess Marek's disease. Here is some info http://partnersah.vet.cornell.edu/avian-atlas/search/disease/502
They do not necessarily exhibit all symptoms but apparently most birds actually have it as it can lay dormant and comes out if the bird is stressed, but a lot is still not understood. It is also my understanding/experience that vaccinations did not prevent it as it mutates. Can cause cancers too. Look for 'Alambama red leg' markings on leg. My flock has these, but have only lost one, the others are healthy as a horse it seems.
My bird acted sort of paralyzed until finally she couldn't get up and died two days later. But she also had lack of appetite for a few months before. Her kidney I believe it was, was as big as a grapefruit, a solid mass upon autopsy. The inside had a discolored area that looked grainy, heard it can cause problems with the kidney or liver but can't remember which one. Hope that helps

 

[tdgill]

Oops... I won't post in here again, a bit too hostile for me.
Sorry!

LOL...no one is being hostile.

 

[marthacolleen]

Marecks is a viral disease, HIGHLY contagious, and carried in their "dander" - so any feathers they shed, etc... will carry the virus for months. There is a vaccination that can be given for it, it's a sub-cut injection that needs to be given at one day of age. I'm sorry you had this also, it's horrific to watch them succumb to it.