Lethargic pullet

[Gallinarium]

I have an eight week old Whiting True Blue, Alice Von Fluffypants. On Monday I noticed that while all of the other pullets were running around chasing ants, she just kind of sat there. When she did walk, she limped, favoring both feet. When she stood, she was wobbly. But she mostly laid down, often hiding in their wooden Box. If food or water was put right in front of her, she would happily eat/drink it, but she wasn't willing to stand up to get it from the normal feeder and drinker. Instead, she just ate the grass around her. I assumed it was some kind of leg injury, and left her alone. But she's gotten worse, not better. Since peck-order fighting is vicious right now, and I'm not sure what's wrong with her, I put her in a set-up of four milk crates in the garage with food, water, and pine shavings and hay over newspaper. When I checked her over, she doesn't have mites. She doesn't seem to be in pain when I touch or move her feet. She doesn't have any visible wounds or bumblefoot. Any suggestions on helping her, or should I just leave her alone and wait?

 

[Isaac 0]

How is your hen doing, could you post a picture of her?

 

[Gallinarium]

She's the same as yesterday. I put her in with the others overnight for rodent safety and also because she was calling for the mama hen. She just looks like a lazy chick, until she walks.

 

[Gallinarium]

Update: she's doing slightly worse. I've been leaving her with the others, (she usually finds a nice corner to hide in.) Since she can't reach the food/water I've been taking her out once or twice daily to give her water with Rooster Booster, honey, and Vitamins B and C in it, and chick food. Sometimes I also give her cooked egg with Rooster Booster in it. She definitely wants to eat and drink, but she can't really use her legs, though she can move them. She mostly shuffles around on her wings, and occasionally faceplants. I might think Marek's, but they all got vaccinations at the hatchery. Could it be that anyway? I want to help her if I can, she's such a sweet chick. Pullet, actually, she's almost eleven and a half weeks old. Is there anything else I can do to help her? I'd appreciate any responses.

 

[FluffyButtBabies]

Since she is getting worse and having difficulty reaching food/water, you should keep her separated. It'll remove some of the stress, and also keep the other chickens safer. Place her near food and water, so she is able to reach it on her own. She could be growing more dehydrated because she hasn't been able to drink and eat throughout the day. Look at her legs. Do they look swollen? Does anything feel dislocated at the hip? Do her poops look normal?

 

[Gallinarium]

She's doing a bit better today; she can walk a bit. But she's had her good days and bad days. Nothing feels dislocated or abnormal. Her droppings look normal enough. I'm stumped.

 

[FluffyButtBabies]

That's really strange. There's only so much you can do... but for now just keep it up. Keep an eye out for new symptoms that might help us identify the problem. But for now, it sounds like you're doing the right thing.