Hen lying on her side, unable to use her legs, please help

[Boring Farm]

I know you are very worried and so sorry you are having to go through this. Your hen may have Mereks Disease which is incurable and highly contagious. Did she act "drunk" before this? In other words, did she have a hard time walking then fall over? Can she move her legs? Is there anything that could have stepped on her like a goat, horse or the such? If you pick her up and try to make her walk does she just fall down again? It's a very progressive disease and she will eventually die from paralyzation. Sadly, the only way to know is through a necropsy or autopsy but I would isolate her FAST! I don't have a link but just search the word "Merek" in the upper RH corner.

I SOOOO hope it's not.

 

[Sarah&chickens]

JJ- she is doing well- or well enough I suppose, nothing has really changed, she can't seem to use her right leg to bear her weight, but everything else is normal. The only difference with today is that she had a hard chalky substance in her poop-- it made me think of egg shell material, but I am just guessing. She hasn't laid since Friday. I am in touch with the lady I bought her from, and am working on finding a vet in our area who will see her. In the meantime we keep her comfortable- we've propped her in a towel with food and water within easy reach, and we take her out and move her around the yard while the rest of the girls are out free ranging so she gets sun and fresh air too.

 

[write2caroline]

We have had a lot of rain - could mold be contributing to her illness if you have had a lot of rain?
Caroline