Legs not working

[rmartin]

My chickens legs are not working, she eats drinks but cannot eat the chicken food grain. feed her hummas and other stuff. unable to stand or walk. any help would be great.

 

[MrsBrooke]

Welcome to BYC.

Many things can cause lameness... Dehydration during hot weather can essentially paralyze a chicken. Is it possible she got into something toxic like herbicide or pesticide? Could she have eaten Styrofoam? Could she have eaten any peeling lead paint?

Do you know whether she was vaccinated for Marek's or not? Where did she come from? How old is she?

Are you able to see any changes in her eye color or in the shape of her pupil?

When was the last time she laid an egg?

Have you seen any changes in her poops?

How is her crop? Is it empty in the morning and full at night? Or is it hard, unusually squishy, spongy, or have an odor coming from her?

When was the last time you checked your birds for mites and lice? When was the last time you wormed your flock?

Any other symptoms or changes you've made to feed or their routine would help greatly.

Sorry for your troubles.

MrsB

 

[rmartin]

She is 3 1/2 years old has not been vaccinated for anything, nothing toxic, no Styrofoam,no paint, has not laid egg in many months, I have just returned after 8 months, my sister was caring for her so do not know all details, have not wormed, flock is small not red at all and droops, eyes seem normal. eats well, thanks

 

[rmartin]

not sure I got thru, 3 1/2 yrs old chicken. swollen vent area cannot walk no vaccines no paint or anything like that. she cannot walk legs are no good. she eats well but not chicken feed. does not lay any eggs for some time now. crop is drooping and not bright red at all.eyes look fine.

 

[Anne Katherine]

What kind of feed was she getting? You might want to look into something like Marek's, though I hope that is not the case. What do her legs feel like when you move them? Does she push against your hand or exert any pressure? Or is she more limp? Does she have mites? What color is her comb? By saying her crop is drooping do you mean because it is full of food or because it is empty? Does it feel like a balloon or like a packed ball? There are a lot of things that can affect them and what kind of illness they have. Any past information on illness will also help to figure out what is going on.

I would try to get some colloidal silver in her water, some electrolytes, maybe apple cider vinegar too. Molasses is also good. Just rotate the different things listed above in her water, though the colloidal silver can go in with anything. If it is worms, you may have to give her wormer, but I would make sure first. Also canned pumpkin is good if she is eating. Yogurt and basically any foods that she will eat that have vitamins and nutrients are good for her. Probiotics are wonderful.

Hope this helps and that your chickie gets better soon!

 

[MrsBrooke]

Swollen vent area? Hasn't laid an egg? Could she be egg bound? Have you noticed her standing funny like a penguin ever?

You can check by feeling her abdomen for anything hard... Does she feel full and squishy or fluid-filled? Anything hard where it shouldn't be?

Definitely check her over for mites/lice... Part the feathers around her vent. You'll see them scatter if there are any.

If she's egg bound, you can dip her in warm water mixed with Epsom salt. That will help her pass anything stuck inside.

It's possible for an egg-bound chicken to experience paralysis as the egg presses against nerves and essentially cuts them off. Check her thoroughly.

Does she have a lump to the side of her vent? If she does, it could be fatty liver disease... Is she overweight at al?

Very sorry for your troubles!!

MrsB