Hen unwilling/unable to walk

[Rumpel]

Hi all,

I have a very poorly chook. About 4 days ago she started showing signs of being unable or unwilling to walk. She CAN walk short distances but doesn't want to and seems to limp. I have bathed her 3 times in epsom salt bath, given her olive oil and epsom salt to ingest and scrambled eggs and egg shell and mineral powder. She is eating well and drinking and chatting. Her eyes are bright, her comb is bright. She is moulting, has been wormed. I have been letting her out in the daytime to get light and keeping her in a pet carrier at night to keep safe. Her legs look fine. What on earth can be wrong? She puts her wings out to stabilise herself and just lies there. Help and advice greatly appreciated. As far as. I know she is still fairly young and has been a good layer up until now.

 

[seminolewind]

It could be a vitamin deficiency . Have you gotten any new chickens in the past few months?

 

[Rumpel]

Hiya I have given her multi vit and mineral powder. Not got any new chooks for a while and the others are all fine.

 

[seminolewind]

Most problems are best narrowed down to help with the answer. I'm trying to eliminate one of the causes which is Marek's and is usually introduced to a flock and causes symptoms like that . Usually after 6 weeks to 12 months most commonly. If no one has been added in this time frame (common time frame) you can mostly rule that out. Vitamin (B's) deficiency is common, especially with those getting medicated feed. Botulism is a reason, but your chicken would be very sick very quickly. Injury. Mold or a toxic substance.

It seems like you have given her history good thought already. I hope someone else can add to the possibilities.