Hen having hard time balancing

[RouenDuck]

One of my hens is having a hard time balancing on the roosts. She stopped flying up to the roosts by herself and when I put her on the roosts she has a hard time balancing. I think her legs might be weak because I also saw her sitting down for no good reason. Other than that I can't find anything wrong with her. Any ideas what it might be?

 

[orrpeople]

Sorry about your girl!
Tell us a little about her. How old is she? Is she eating/drinking? What is her environment like? (Run, coop, free range) Is she laying? How regularly?
It would also be helpful if you could post a video of her in your yard. (Upload to YouTube first, then attach the link - the video loader on this site doesn't work too well.)
There are some awesome diagnosticians on this site who can help once they get a little more information.

 

[Isaac 0]

You may want to bring her inside and put her in a warm/quiet place.In a Dog kennel would be best. I would inspect her legs for any Lesions/Scratches/Inflammation or for any sign of bumblefoot.Some Condition's/Diseases that may cause Weak Legs may be Mareks,Bumblefoot,Nutritional Deficiency,Genetic Disorders or Possibly Toxins.

If you have the option to take her to the vet that would be the best choice.

 

[RouenDuck]

She is about a year and a half old. She is eating and drinking normally. She is in a chicken yard, a fairly big one so it's mostly grass and weeds and a few trees, there is one spot by the feeders that is just dirt though, and she spends the night in the coop. I'm not sure if she's laying or not- she's with quite a few other chickens and I'm not sure what time of day she tends to lay her eggs.

I have inspected her legs and feet and they are fine. I have inspected her all over for anything out of the ordinary and couldn't find anything. Her feathers are pretty much all grown in, if not entirely, so that shouldn't effect anything.

I don't think it's Marek's because it doesn't seem to be contagious. I couldn't find any signs of bumblefoot. It shouldn't be nutritional deficiency, the feed is designed for laying hens and they have plenty of room to forage, and we've never had problems with that before. I would think if it was a genetic disorder it would have shown up before now.
It could be toxins.... Do you think worms or other parasites could cause it? I'm thinking it's something internal because I can't find any other symptoms or problems or anything out of the ordinary. I checked her eyes and they look fine.

 

[orrpeople]

She is about a year and a half old. She is eating and drinking normally. She is in a chicken yard, a fairly big one so it's mostly grass and weeds and a few trees, there is one spot by the feeders that is just dirt though, and she spends the night in the coop. I'm not sure if she's laying or not- she's with quite a few other chickens and I'm not sure what time of day she tends to lay her eggs.

I have inspected her legs and feet and they are fine. I have inspected her all over for anything out of the ordinary and couldn't find anything. Her feathers are pretty much all grown in, if not entirely, so that shouldn't effect anything.

I don't think it's Marek's because it doesn't seem to be contagious. I couldn't find any signs of bumblefoot. It shouldn't be nutritional deficiency, the feed is designed for laying hens and they have plenty of room to forage, and we've never had problems with that before. I would think if it was a genetic disorder it would have shown up before now.
It could be toxins.... Do you think worms or other parasites could cause it? I'm thinking it's something internal because I can't find any other symptoms or problems or anything out of the ordinary. I checked her eyes and they look fine.

Have you wormed her lately? This and a big dose of Nutri drench are my first go-tos. Also, and not to freak you out, but Marek's can kill quickly, but is often a slow killer. You may or may not see any more problems in your flock - for a while - or ever.
Is she still eating/pooping?

 

[RouenDuck]

Have you wormed her lately? This and a big dose of Nutri drench are my first go-tos. Also, and not to freak you out, but Marek's can kill quickly, but is often a slow killer. You may or may not see any more problems in your flock - for a while - or ever.
Is she still eating/pooping?

She should have been vaccinated against Marek's as a chick, but if you think it's likely that that's what it is, I can have her put down.
I have not wormed her lately. What would you recommend for de-worming? Do you have to stop eating the eggs while you de-worm?
She is definitely still eating, and I'm pretty sure she's still pooping.

 

[orrpeople]

We won't jump to Marek's yet, although it is so much more prevalent in the environment than most folks think. That said,I like Safeguard horse wormer. I've attached a link to a good thread on that topic. There is an egg withdrawal time - so, yeah, eggs will have to be tossed for a while.
Have you given her a good dose of vitamins? (Nutri drench)
Has she lost weight? It's good that she's eating. What does her poop look like? (Post a pic if you can).
I also would love to see a pic of your bird - but a video would be best.
Is she still walking around okay?
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/worming-with-horse-wormer.744734/

 

[RouenDuck]

I have not gotten around to: Uploading a video, buying nutri drench, or buying wormer.
However, I'll answer your questions anyway.
She has not lost a significant amount of weight, but she's not one of the hens I pick up often, so I couldn't swear to her not having lost any weight.
I'm now not entirely certain as to whether or not she's pooping. It would be a lot easier to figure out if I had a good place to isolate her, but I don't. If I still spent the same amount of time with the chickens as I used to, I would have no trouble telling you. But now it's basically guessing. The amount of time that has passed without me seeing her poop is longer for her now than for most of my other chickens, so I'm guessing she's not.

I've noticed a slight limp in her walking now. I thoroughly examined her legs and one of them might be slightly more wasted away than the other. Or maybe one of them was just more relaxed. Or maybe I imagined it because I'm trying so hard to find something.
Also, she doesn't run around scratching at things and being curious and having fun like the other chickens. She walks where she needs or wants to go and then sits down after a bit. She doesn't waste energy scratching.

Thanks for your help and patience!

 

[orrpeople]

Chickens mask sickness by standing still, moving very slowly, or sitting safely under something. Flocks, in general, don't tolerate perceived weakness and will begin to peck at sick members or try to drive them out. Thus, sick chickens will hunch their shoulders and fluff their feathers as a sign of pain, but not much else.
If it is Marek's, isolating her won't protect your flock, as they have all most likely been exposed already. That said, there are still many other things that could be affecting your girl. When you get the chance, take advantage of a chance to worm her - and maybe the rest of your flock at the same time since this isn't really a great laying season anyway. Safeguard isn't very expensive, and it's really a great part of a healthy flock maintenance routine.
Also, having nutridrench available will come in very handy as long as you have a flock. I pretty much use it as my first line of defense for anyone who looks a little under the weather.
I also understand that life is not centered around chickens and you have to do what is best for you.
In my own experience, I often do not take much time treating birds who have stopped scratching around or eating. I know this is hotly debated, but I cull them before more serious symptoms arise. I also know that if I'm finally seeing they are in pain, then they have been in pain a lot longer because they're so good at hiding it from us.
Wishing you the best with your girl, and so sorry she is not well.

 

[RouenDuck]

Okay, I am going to try giving her Nutri drench and worming her, and if that doesn't work, then I will cull her.
Thanks again!