I'm new to breeding chicken and currently have 3 birds. Today, I noticed that one of the girls' is walking with a slight limp and weak. She was observed to be in a sitting position and unable to bring herself to standing position; I had to help prop her up. My other two appears to be fine. I'm unsure what this means. The guy I purchased the chicken from recommended that I end her suffering. Can any one chime in with suggestions on what is going on with my Golden Laced Wyandotte? Thanks.
We have had some lame hens before and what has worked for them was to confine them to a smaller pen and put food and water within reaching distance, and taking them back to the coop at night. When our most recent one started getting better, I put 1 other chicken in there with her. The two size pens we used were 8 sq. feet and about 24 sq. ft. It may take a week or more depending on what cuased it for her to get better though. Do you know why she is lame?
I don't know what's the cause...she was fine the day before.ive isolated her and put food and water within reach. Have you tried any medications? It's sad to see her in this state! today,she can't even stand up and would fall with each standing attempt.
It is always a good idea to try poultry vitamins in the water in cases of lameness. Do you know if she was vaccinated for Mareks disease? That is a disease that can cause paralysis in one or both legs or wings, inability to get to food and water, tumors along nerves and elsewhere, and starvation. Hopefully she has just an injury or vitamin deficiency, but make sure she is near food and water and continue to observe her. Mareks disease is pretty much all over the world, and it is spread through dust, dander, and direct contact. If she dies, you can get a necropsy by your state vet or poultry lab to look for Mareks. If she has that, all other chickens on your property should be considered carriers. Many chickens seem to be immune to it, but the disease stays in the environment for years. Here is some reading about Mareks: http://www.thepoultrysite.com/diseaseinfo/90/mareks-disease/ https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq
