Leeeee
In the Brooder
- Jun 20, 2018
- 4
- 1
- 12
Hi all,
I'm looking for any advice around my Orpington hen, Barbara. She's a year old, and was in great health (and the top of the pecking order) until 3 weeks ago. One night I found her on the lower perch instead of her place in the middle of the top perch, and the next night she was on the ground of the coop, unable to stay up on a perch at all. The next morning, I saw that one of her legs was not functioning at all, so she could not stand, and she was getting around by moving her wings and flopping.
Her paralyzed leg looked totally fine to inspection -- no injuries and I could/can move it around for her or massage it without protest. The other leg seems to be working normally, as are her wings. She doesn't have any other significant symptoms. She miiiight be a tiny bit congested, but if so, it's really only a tiny bit.
After an experience taking a sick Silkie to the vet, being heaped with an enormous bill, and still having her die, I hesitate to take chickens to the vet. So, we brought her inside, set her up in a comfy cage, and I read up a bunch on BYC and online. For the first week, she was eating very well, and I gave her extra vitamins and herbs (echinacea, St John's Wort) -- but then her eating slowed down (not particularly concerning because she has not been at all active) and I couldn't get disguised herbs into her as easily. The first two days she was inside she laid very soft-shelled eggs, and she has not laid since then.
Now, after three weeks of her being inside... nothing has changed. She's not better, and not worse, though she is bored as hell, and some of the feathers are getting worn off her belly from so much time lying down. She is still eating and drinking water, just significantly less, and she's not very tempted by extra yummy things. She's also pooping normally, but again, less than usual. I am massaging her paralyzed leg, trying to get it working again.
None of the other 7 members of the flock have anything weird going on. However, two members of the flock have died of an unidentified respiratory disease in the last year. She was vaccinated for Marek's as a chick.
What do folks recommend I do? Can I put her outside to try to get some (supervised) stimulation and incentive to run around, or should I be worried that she'll expose the flock to a disease? (Is this an infectious disease, or could she have had a stroke?) And how long do I keep her inside in hopes that she'll improve -- or when do I give up and euthanize her?
This has all been very sad. She's a really fantastic chicken, with a boisterous personality. She was always the first to come up and say hello and beg for a treat. She's also the only chicken in my flock who's always been okay with being held, or perching on your arm or shoulders. I'd really appreciate any suggestions you all have to offer!
Here she is a few months ago in good health:
I'm looking for any advice around my Orpington hen, Barbara. She's a year old, and was in great health (and the top of the pecking order) until 3 weeks ago. One night I found her on the lower perch instead of her place in the middle of the top perch, and the next night she was on the ground of the coop, unable to stay up on a perch at all. The next morning, I saw that one of her legs was not functioning at all, so she could not stand, and she was getting around by moving her wings and flopping.
Her paralyzed leg looked totally fine to inspection -- no injuries and I could/can move it around for her or massage it without protest. The other leg seems to be working normally, as are her wings. She doesn't have any other significant symptoms. She miiiight be a tiny bit congested, but if so, it's really only a tiny bit.
After an experience taking a sick Silkie to the vet, being heaped with an enormous bill, and still having her die, I hesitate to take chickens to the vet. So, we brought her inside, set her up in a comfy cage, and I read up a bunch on BYC and online. For the first week, she was eating very well, and I gave her extra vitamins and herbs (echinacea, St John's Wort) -- but then her eating slowed down (not particularly concerning because she has not been at all active) and I couldn't get disguised herbs into her as easily. The first two days she was inside she laid very soft-shelled eggs, and she has not laid since then.
Now, after three weeks of her being inside... nothing has changed. She's not better, and not worse, though she is bored as hell, and some of the feathers are getting worn off her belly from so much time lying down. She is still eating and drinking water, just significantly less, and she's not very tempted by extra yummy things. She's also pooping normally, but again, less than usual. I am massaging her paralyzed leg, trying to get it working again.
None of the other 7 members of the flock have anything weird going on. However, two members of the flock have died of an unidentified respiratory disease in the last year. She was vaccinated for Marek's as a chick.
What do folks recommend I do? Can I put her outside to try to get some (supervised) stimulation and incentive to run around, or should I be worried that she'll expose the flock to a disease? (Is this an infectious disease, or could she have had a stroke?) And how long do I keep her inside in hopes that she'll improve -- or when do I give up and euthanize her?
This has all been very sad. She's a really fantastic chicken, with a boisterous personality. She was always the first to come up and say hello and beg for a treat. She's also the only chicken in my flock who's always been okay with being held, or perching on your arm or shoulders. I'd really appreciate any suggestions you all have to offer!
Here she is a few months ago in good health:
