Hen sitting/walking on hocks

[Birdfull]

I

Hi! I called the hatchery and forgot to ask about selling in TSCs, but the hatchery is Hoover's Hatchery in Iowa (I think they are large enough where it is likely they stock TSCs in MN). They believe my SG has Marek's, despite her being vaccinated, since that is the most common cause of paralysis. I don't think my girl has Marek's though. They do not think it's genetic; the CS rep said they change breeding pairs every year and so it can't be that?? I'm not sure I understood them correctly. Not sure if that helps or hinders your theory of a set of parents passing on a trait that predisposes a riboflavin deficiency.

Today, I let my SG stay with the other girls in the run and she immediately dust-bathed with them all for over half an hour! They must have missed her. She stopped panting too, which is an amazing sign! She must have been stressed/depressed/lonely. Still unable to walk, but uses her hocks and flapping to get around. She seems to be gaining movement in her toes. Slowly but surely!

Today I took my girl to a vet the local farm animal sanctuary suggested. He was very happy with the b complex pill I am giving because he’s concerned about niacin (not riboflavin so much!) the pill has 100mg of each so I’m good there. Make sure your b complex is super high in these!!
Her X-ray showed her bones are not as dense as they should be. He thinks the oyster shells I give are just going through her so I need to grind them finer. Also he felt my 19% protein feed was too high and wants lower protein not sure why. Also gave her an anti inflammatory as her joints looked a little inflamed.
Given her age he feels she can make a full recovery. He also wants me to do this for the whole flock (b complex and finer ground oyster shells) as he feels the problem stems from diet/nutrition. So keep at it!!

 

[Eggcessive]

Niacin is more of a problem in ducks, while riboflavin is more of a problem in chickens with leg problems. Not that much riboflavin or B complex (usually 10 mg daily) is necessary for treatment. Usually I recommend human super B complex which has all B vitamins and are water soluble, so there is no problem with overdosage. 1/4 to 1/2 B complex given orally is usually recommended.
https://www.thepoultrysite.com/publications/diseases-of-poultry/217/vitamin-b2-deficiency

 

[Birdfull]

Niacin is more of a problem in ducks, while riboflavin is more of a problem in chickens with leg problems. Not that much riboflavin or B complex (usually 10 mg daily) is necessary for treatment. Usually I recommend human super B complex which has all B vitamins and are water soluble, so there is no problem with overdosage. 1/4 to 1/2 B complex given orally is usually recommended.
https://www.thepoultrysite.com/publications/diseases-of-poultry/217/vitamin-b2-deficiency

 

[Birdfull]

Yes the vet mentioned niacin deficiency is often seen in ducks also.

 

[chickenrunsquad]

I

Today I took my girl to a vet the local farm animal sanctuary suggested. He was very happy with the b complex pill I am giving because he’s concerned about niacin (not riboflavin so much!) the pill has 100mg of each so I’m good there. Make sure your b complex is super high in these!!
Her X-ray showed her bones are not as dense as they should be. He thinks the oyster shells I give are just going through her so I need to grind them finer. Also he felt my 19% protein feed was too high and wants lower protein not sure why. Also gave her an anti inflammatory as her joints looked a little inflamed.
Given her age he feels she can make a full recovery. He also wants me to do this for the whole flock (b complex and finer ground oyster shells) as he feels the problem stems from diet/nutrition. So keep at it!!

This is so promising! I'm sure you were relieved to hear that! Thank you for the info and I'll be sure to keep up the calcium in addition to the Vitamin B supplement. Good luck!!

 

[Birdfull]

This is so promising! I'm sure you were relieved to hear that! Thank you for the info and I'll be sure to keep up the calcium in addition to the Vitamin B supplement. Good luck!!

Yes good luck to you as well! He specifically mentioned calcium and phosphorus. Not sure if you are doing pills yet but giving a chicken a pill isn’t hard at all unlike with liquid medicine you have to be so careful with. a pill you can pop it in pretty easily with no issues. I was crushing it and putting it in food and she got wise to me. Are you still trying your wheelchair? I may try a sling setup again. Thanks for your encouraging messages!!

 

[chickenrunsquad]

Yes good luck to you as well! He specifically mentioned calcium and phosphorus. Not sure if you are doing pills yet but giving a chicken a pill isn’t hard at all unlike with liquid medicine you have to be so careful with. a pill you can pop it in pretty easily with no issues. I was crushing it and putting it in food and she got wise to me. Are you still trying your wheelchair? I may try a sling setup again. Thanks for your encouraging messages!!

Yes I've been putting half a Vitamin B complex pill into her beak every day, in addition to crushed up egg shells for calcium. I have oyster shells from TSC but they are huge and I don't see her touching them. I may have to try crushing them a bit more.

I've tried several times with the wheelchair but she just doesn't walk in it- she will nap instead haha or just sit with her legs tucked in if I can't get the legs through the holes. Here's another photo of her just chilling in the yard while her sisters raid my garden beds. Good luck!! Please keep me updated as the weeks go by - it's been encouraging to hear from your experience!