Leg or internal issue? Please help.

[leadwolf1]

I have had chicks have coccidia before they even hit the ground.

You need to do what you feel is best for your chicks. Good luck, keep us posted!

 

[folgerrd]

Okay. could Cocci cause the leg issue though? I will keep you posted. Thanks for the help. And I deffinitaely don't want it to come to this but, What is the fastest most painless way for a chicken to die? I don't want to cull her, and I'm not giving up any time soon, but Elvis is immensly accident prone and a bit of a runt. She spends more time in the emergency/sick brooder then she does in the regular. If it comes to the point there is nothing we can do for her or she is slowly dying, I want to know how to make her passing painless and quick.

Oh and please don't take that as a sign of submission, I don't plan to give up on her any time soon and will continue fighting off her many problems. I don't want a quick fix, just that Elvis be happy or safe.

 

[leadwolf1]

With chicks, they say that a sharp pair of scissors or the like is the way to go. I always hand them to my DH and he takes care of them. I don't ask and he doesn't tell. I prefer it that way.

Vitamin deficiencies can cause the leg problems. The coccidia could be interrupting the intestines ability to process food correctly...it is a viscious cycle.

 

[folgerrd]

I see, All right. I will try to find the stuff, it's harder here to find poultry supplies especially since the closest city has a chicken ban.

 

[natashapage]

Hello, I've got a regular hen who is about 8 months old and has the same problem. I've taken to her to the vet, who to be honest had never had a chicken in his office before! He checked her all over and gave us some antibiotics. She has perked up but cannot walk. She moves herself around using her wings and on her stomach. She's eating and drinking but one foot is curled up. There is nothing broken and no cuts etc. Did you find out what was wrong with Elvis?

 

[leadwolf1]

Have you read any threads on Marek's Disease? Your hen is exhibiting quite a few of the symptoms.

Hello, I've got a regular hen who is about 8 months old and has the same problem. I've taken to her to the vet, who to be honest had never had a chicken in his office before! He checked her all over and gave us some antibiotics. She has perked up but cannot walk. She moves herself around using her wings and on her stomach. She's eating and drinking but one foot is curled up. There is nothing broken and no cuts etc. Did you find out what was wrong with Elvis?

 

[folgerrd]

Hello, I've got a regular hen who is about 8 months old and has the same problem. I've taken to her to the vet, who to be honest had never had a chicken in his office before! He checked her all over and gave us some antibiotics. She has perked up but cannot walk. She moves herself around using her wings and on her stomach. She's eating and drinking but one foot is curled up. There is nothing broken and no cuts etc. Did you find out what was wrong with Elvis?

Sounds like Mareks

As for Elvis we think it is splayed leg. But we're out of both pipe cleaner and bandaids!

 

[folgerrd]

not speyed leg, something else. The issue seems to be one of her.... knees(?) is looseand she seems to have less control on it. I held her, back down, and tried just pushing gently and trying to help her bend them. the one she can't stand on bends super easily, the one that she can stand on bends fine.

 

[leadwolf1]

Could she have a slipped tendon?

 

[folgerrd]

Hey guys, I brought her to the vet and have her results! The good news: nothing was wrong with her legs(odd, I know). The bad news: There is something wrong with her lungs.
So basically this is what's wrong(according to poultry vet): Elvis has had something wrong with her for who knows how long, (but if we were to estimate at least three weeks ago). Her respiratory problems have been weakening her, it has come to the point where she is so weak she is unable to walk. Whether or not she has passed it onto the others is a mystery.

The vet gave us some probiotics to put in their water, but the fact of the matter is: The probiotics are in time to save the chicks from getting it or stop it where it's at. But it is too late for Elvis.