Hurt chicken

[Kiki]

Mareks always comes to mind.

I agree with this.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Stress will often trigger Mareks, and make it worse. My guess if I were to make one is she was walking goofy, which caused the others to start pecking at her, which made everything worse. Generally Mareks will worsen, injuries will improve. You can usually see one or the other happening over the next week or two.

 

[gringold]

I guess time will tell. Right now she seems comfortable so I'm leaving her in her private home on my screened in porch. If she gets worse I'll have to let her go.

 

[Kiki]

I guess time will tell. Right now she seems comfortable so I'm leaving her in her private home on my screened in porch. If she gets worse I'll have to let her go.

 

[gringold]

Thanks.

 

[gringold]

She seems to be holding her own and she is now pulling both her feet under her. The curled up foot is now straightening out. She is still not standing. I move her to a new spot during the day. Do I need to try to move her legs some to help them keep strong enough to lift her?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I would try a sling. Hopefully someone shares a picture or a link to one.

 

[rebrascora]

I would encourage her to move a little each day towards a favourite treat or back towards home at dusk. The movement needs to be of her choice and with no pressure involved. It may be that she will just crawl using her wings initially and that is fine, over time she will figure it out. I've had Marek's birds that were nest bound for weeks but eventually got back to free ranging with the flock by gently encouraging them to move a few steps each day and gradually increasing the distance. The important thing is not to stress them, but just let them focus and struggle and figure it out. Feeding them a good quality poultry supplement like Nutri Drench will help support their immune system and good quality food and putting her out on grass in the sunshine (in a cage where she is safe and ideally within sight of the other chicks) will help to keep her from getting depressed. You will need to build her confidence as well as her strength and general health in order for her to eventually return to the flock.

Below is a simple chicken sling that can be made from everyday items. It is important to adjust the height of the fabric so that the birds feet can just touch the bottom but the material takes the majority of their weight. You can either cut a third hole where it's vent it so that poop drops through or fold the material forward so that the vent over hangs it and poop can fall clear. Some birds are very happy in a sling and others hate it and constantly struggle to get out. Do not persevere if she is unhappy in it as stress will make her condition worse if it is Marek's...

Food and water pots (empty yoghurt cartons) can be clipped to the front of the box so that she can reach them herself. Another piece of fabric can be placed over the bird's back and also clipped to the sides to make them more secure once they are in the sling/hammock. If you google images of chicken slings you will get lots of other ideas of how to make them.
Good luck with your chick. I hope she makes it.

 

[micstrachan]

Please keep us posted about your sweet girl. I will be thinking about her!

 

[gringold]

Well she is in her sling. I can't tell if she likes it or not. She just sits there looking around. I have given her some egg and a piece of strawberry since they like that so much. Rebrascora are you saying I should put her with the other chickens outside to try to let her move?