Limping Hen/Dragging Leg

[ddboersma]

My hen is a mixed breed about 22 weeks old in a flock with 10 other birds. The flock ranges in age from 22 weeks to 9 months. Not laying yet. Only fed Scratch and Peck Organic Feed.
The whole flock was treated for both coccidiosis and tape worm recently. Corid did not work (confirmed by fecal sample at vet), so we did Endocox for coccidiosis and Equimax for tapeworm.
One hen started limping approx a couple days after last Equimax dose. Over the course of 2 weeks it has progressed to leg dragging. She is alert and does not act sick. Hops all over the place to get food and water, but with difficulty and trying to balance with her wings. After other hens started attacking her in her obvious weaker state, a lot of googling, and wondering if it might be vitamin deficiency or worse, I quarantined her and gave her Poultry Cell for 4 days in waterer (not able to find any other source with different B vitamins locally). So far no improvement. When other hens are free ranging I’ve been letting her back in the run to move around some.
I called our closest animal hospital to see what it would cost for a visit and X-ray and was quoted $429. No regular vet within 2 hours of me will see a chicken.
Asking for all your ideas or advice to help her recover or at least enough to not get bullied anymore. If a vitamin deficiency, does it take longer than 4 days to see obvious improvement? Thanks in advance
See bad quality older photo for idea of what dragging leg looks like.

 

[azygous]

My flock carries the leucosis virus, and it causes such lameness. So recently when a hen started dragging her leg, I thought the worst. But I decided to treat with vitamin B-complex anyway.

After getting B-complex every day for a month, she recovered full use of her leg and has been fine ever since.

You don't need special chicken vitamins. Just go to where they sell the people vitamins and select the B-complex with the highest amounts. I use B-100 complex from Walmart.

 

[ddboersma]

My flock carries the leucosis virus, and it causes such lameness. So recently when a hen started dragging her leg, I thought the worst. But I decided to treat with vitamin B-complex anyway.

After getting B-complex every day for a month, she recovered full use of her leg and has been fine ever since.

You don't need special chicken vitamins. Just go to where they sell the people vitamins and select the B-complex with the highest amounts. I use B-100 complex from Walmart.

THANK YOU!

 

[ddboersma]

THANK YOU!

Did you have any issue with aggressive chickens or feel the need to keep her quarantined? I don’t want to make it worse by letting her move too much or too little for any reason.

 

[azygous]

There are very few contagious illnesses. Most chickens recover better if left with their flock. Recently I had a very sick chicken and she remained with the others throughout, even when it looked like she was close to dying. But if your flock has chickens that will attack a vulnerable sick chicken, then you will need to put her somewhere safe.

Most of us who've had chickens for a long time have discovered it's very useful to have a dedicated pen within the run for segregating a chicken for a number of reasons. That way they can be with their flock but remain safe.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

One hen started limping approx a couple days after last Equimax dose.

Did you check her over for any heat or swelling or other abrasion that might indicate injury? All up and down the leg and also the bottom of the foot to check for any possible bumble.

Injuries can definitely take a bit longer than a few days to recover.

 

[ddboersma]

There are very few contagious illnesses. Most chickens recover better if left with their flock. Recently I had a very sick chicken and she remained with the others throughout, even when it looked like she was close to dying. But if your flock has chickens that will attack a vulnerable sick chicken, then you will need to put her somewhere safe.

Most of us who've had chickens for a long time have discovered it's very useful to have a dedicated pen within the run for segregating a chicken for a number of reasons. That way they can be with their flock but remain safe.

Thank you for this. All good to know and a good idea to put her inside the run,

 

[ddboersma]

Did you check her over for any heat or swelling or other abrasion that might indicate injury? All up and down the leg and also the bottom of the foot to check for any possible bumble.

Injuries can definitely take a bit longer than a few days to recover.

I have checked everything up and down several times. I don’t notice anything obvious at all. I am not an expert, though.

 

[ddboersma]

My flock carries the leucosis virus, and it causes such lameness. So recently when a hen started dragging her leg, I thought the worst. But I decided to treat with vitamin B-complex anyway.

After getting B-complex every day for a month, she recovered full use of her leg and has been fine ever since.

You don't need special chicken vitamins. Just go to where they sell the people vitamins and select the B-complex with the highest amounts. I use B-100 complex from Walmart.

Could you tell me how you administer your B-100 complex? I’m running out today. Thanks!

 

[azygous]

No trick. Just pry open the beak and shove the pill inside. Chickens may look like they can't handle a pill, but keep in mind they manage to swallow lizards and mice just fine. While you might have a problem swallowing a pill, just try picturing swallowing a lizard. No, don't.