If your chicken was acting like this, what would you think is wrong???

[twzlrwho]

Not saying this is right or wrong...just what I would do if it were me.

I have been told that some neurological disorders are caused by a vitamin e deficeincy. I was told this while dealing with wry neck on a BBR. After a few days of heavy dosing vitamin e the little bugger pulled through. Maybe it could help yours to have some extra vitamins.

It's worth a shot. Good Luck!

 

[KrisRose]

Sorry Gabby3535- That was my best guess. Perhaps send a PM over to dlhunicorn or Speckled Hen.
At least I can provide a bump.

 

[gabby3535]

Thanks, Christina...........

Not saying this is right or wrong...just what I would do if it were me.

I have been told that some neurological disorders are caused by a vitamin e deficeincy. I was told this while dealing with wry neck on a BBR. After a few days of heavy dosing vitamin e the little bugger pulled through. Maybe it could help yours to have some extra vitamins.

It's worth a shot. Good Luck!

Are Marans prone to Vit. E deficience?
If not, why would the 8 others be fine............they all eat the same feed.
(Not being confrontational, just trying to figure this out...)

 

[twzlrwho]

Quote:
That's ok. I think all chicks are succeptible to a vitamin deficeincy. They do grow so fast and if they are lower on the totem pole, they might not get all the fresh pickns, so to speak. Like humans, some chicks absorb vitamins differently and at different speeds.

 

[Cloverleaf Farm]

Quote:
You said that it would fall over and just lay there, and then faded away...falling over and not being able to get up/stand are both symptoms of Mareks. Unfortunately, that is what I am guessing you have. Quarantine your sick pullet immediately, and clean clean clean your coop / run.

If it is Marek's, the others have already been exposed, but hopefully are resistant, or their vaccines are doing their job. This one may not have built an immunity from it's vaccine, and that's why it is sick. Unfortunately, Marek's is airborne, and is literally everywhere, so even without a known "source" they could still have been exposed. I would say that if this one doesn't make it, it would be worth it to send it to whatever local pathologist you have access to for a diagnosis so you know what you are dealing with. Any chicken that gets Marek's and recovers is always a carrier, and will thereby expose every other bird it comes into contact with, and you will inadvertantly carry the virus around with you.

I really hope for your sake, and the sake of your birds that's not what it is!! Good luck to you!!

 

[threehorses]

Quote:
They should be too young to worm yet if they're on their own ground, etc. I'm thinking this might be nutritional. The feed they're using might be complete, but feeds and they way they're stored often degrade anyway.

I wouldn't go with a packaged vitamin/electrolyte vitamin. Instead, I would try this:

First, give them all a bit of plain yogurt. The living bacteria in it always does a bird good (only don't use it if you're ever medicating with mycins or cyclines). But additionally the riboflavin in dairy products will sometimes counteract a deficiency that causes difficulty walking/standing that isn't associated with full out paralysis but instead weakness.

The living bacteria in yogurt also produce B vitamins for the bird. Deficiencies of biotin and choline are often associated with weakness to transient or permanent paralysis. So you're also providing a natural source of those nutrients to help your birds avoid problems and thrive.

Bacteria are the workers that literally feed your birds. Keep the good bacteria strong, and your birds will thrive and be more disease resistant.

I'd also buy one of the following: wheat germ oil capsules or a small bottle of wheat germ oil from the feedstore or health food store; or baby vitamins (non-iron fortified) from Walmart, etc. Others can tell you how to use the baby vitamins. On the wheat germ oil, you'd give this mixed with their feed at a rate of 1 ounce per gallon of feed. Or one capsule per cup of food, mixed in very well. If you buy the liquid, you can buy a small spray bottle (travel sized) and spritz it on the crumbles before you feed.

Wheat germ oil is a bioavailable source of oil-based vitamins A, D, and E which are the most readily degraded vitamins in our dry poultry feeds, especially crumbles. They require oil to absorb thoroughly. That's why I don't generally recommend water or packaged vitamins. A is great for respiratory illnesses and is the most commonly deficient vitamin in birds. D is good for later calcium absorbtion. But most importantly, vitamin E is essential in neurological care and healing. If there is something neurological going on, vitamin E will help.

Some lines of birds - not even the breeds - might be more weak than others and need a little more. I'd be sure that your organic feed does contain an actual vitamin package. It must. I'd also make sure that your feedstore it turning it over frequently. It must smell quite strong of fresh ingredients. If you can't smell it, it probably isn't very fresh. I'd reduce treats to less than 10% of their total diet; otherwise, particularly during development, you may unwittedly make an imbalance of nutrients despite adding some good ones. But many minerals/vitamins need specific balances in order to be absorbed. So less than 10% total treats (even healthy) daily. That includes non-complete grain rations, too.

I hope this helps!

 

[twzlrwho]

Here is a thread that I think is similar to yours. This might help.

Good Luck!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=204224

 

[speckledhen]

I'm sorry, I have no idea what's wrong. If you've looked her over well for infected hidden wounds, I'd say either botulism or possibly a heart condition or other hidden weakness. I'm not a vet and I wish I knew more. I've lost several to internal laying and one to sour crop and one to a heart defect, so that's all my experience with ill birds, other than bumblefoot. Provide supportive therapy like you're doing, adding extra protein like scrambled eggs and watch her for new symptoms that may help figure this out.