Lame chicken

[FRlEDeggs]

I've posted several posts about this already and I haven't found an answer so far, so I'm gonna try again since it's been a while

Pepper, my cuckoo marans pullet cannot walk. She can kick and wiggle but she can't stand. She is also very thin. I've treated her for worms, vitamin deficiency, mites, and anything else you can think of. She does not have a black scab indicating bumblefoot. Does anyone know what is wrong with her? She has been like this for a little past 3 months. If she does not get well soon we'll have to put her down...

 

[nuchickontheblock]

sorry I can't help, but I'll give you a bump.

 

[Miss Lydia]

If she is still alive after this much time then I would say she's a fighter.

read this it may help some, then post back and let us know all you have done so far. sorry you didn't get any answers when you posted before. Sometimes we just don't know what to say, I for one did not see your previous post..


If your birds are ill, then you may assume that some malabsorption is taking place and then giving a complete supplement is advised (also in times of stress including extreme cold or heat)...
If you notice a particular symptom such as lameness or say, curled toes for instance then you would add a vit B supplement as that will help with that particular symptom... vitE/selenium is good to add when you note neurological symptoms, vitA with respiratory etc etc etc.
here is where I store my links and information:
Dragonflies and Dandelions

 

[FRlEDeggs]

Thanks for your answer

What do you mean that you store your information in Dragonflies and Dandelions?

 

[phasian]

Sorry to hear about your bird. I went through something similar with a Black Marans. She was even x-rayed, but there was nothing conclusive. From all of my research, I believe she either had Marek's (though she was vaccinated) or she had a degenerative reaction to the vaccine.

I had also used naturally worming remedies, and none of my other flock members had her symptoms. She was always cheery, happy to eat and drink, and visit, but slowly just wasted away. I kept her comfortable in a sheep stock tank in my utility room and traded off birds for her for companionship (she loved my Showgirl roo). I know that all the poultry guides recommend quarantines, but with a social animal I find this can be problematic and that loneliness can contribute negatively to the healing process. I tend to select my none breeding birds to accompany my birds that need to be separated. She quietly passed one evening. I cared for her for about 3.5 months. If she had shown signs of pain or discomfort I would have put her down.

I just got a new book on Poultry Homeopathy which recommends Gelsemium sempervirens 30 + Causticum 30 for Mareks. These are remedies that you can find at a natural food store and typically cost around $5. The number indicates the dosage strength (found on the bottle) and you typically add a few granules to water.

The nice thing about homeopathics is that they do not have side effects, and if the remedy choice is correct, they are highly effective.

Hope this helps.

 

[FRlEDeggs]

Quote:
Wow, thank you so much for all the details. Your scenario sounds alot like my Pepper, but I'm not sure how to tell if she has Marek's. She doesn't have paralysis, which is a common symptom. What do you think?