Limping hen

[Nor-Cal Chickens]

I have a hen that lumps and “walks” with her toes curled up. Basically walks on her “knuckles” Is this curable or what’s going on?

 

[coach723]

Do you know how long it's been like this? If you put your finger under her toes can she grip your finger? Can you straighten the toes out, or are they stiff? Injury is a possibility, in which case splinting with a shoe may help if you are able to put the toes in a normal position. Vitamin deficiencies can cause curled toes (and other neurological symptoms), riboflavin in particular for toes. Supplement with a B complex tablet daily for a couple of weeks to see if it helps (you can grind it up and mix it with something she will eat). B's are water soluble so no worries of over dosing. If it's an old injury, or a deficiency that has been going on a long time then it may be permanent, if not I would try and see if it helps.

 

[Nor-Cal Chickens]

It’s been going on for a couple weeks but slightly worsening....not drastic but at times she could self correct, not so anymore. She can’t grip my finger and I felt around her leg down to toes and she didn’t show any particular discomfort

 

[coach723]

I would try the vitamins to see if you get any improvement. There are virus's that can cause progressive paralysis (like Marek's), but I would do the things that you CAN do to see if it helps. Vitamin deficiencies are not uncommon, so I always try those first. If she has trouble staying upright you can put her in a chicken sling for periods to help her stay upright and comfortable, and eat and drink easier. You do need to supervise to make sure she tolerates it and doesn't hurt herself. Examples below.

 

[Nor-Cal Chickens]

Should I remove her from the flock? Is the Mareks contagious? Hopefully it’s just a vitamin deficiency but I want to be as safe as possible. This is my first flock and I’ve much to learn.

 

[coach723]

Marek's is contagious, but if that is what it is then all your birds have already been exposed. It is very easy to jump to the 'worst case' assumption, but that is not always the correct thing. If she does not improve or continues to worsen, and you lose her, it would be a good idea to consider having her necropsied, just in case. Better to know for sure than to assume wrong. You can also give her some vitamin E daily with a bit of tuna or egg for selenium (that helps with the uptake of E), just to cover all the vitamin bases.
What do you feed, including treats? And is she low in the pecking order? Low status birds can be kept from feed, and some whole grain feeds allow them to pick and choose bits which can set up deficiencies.

 

[Eggcessive]

Make sure that you start riboflavin or vitamin B 2 just in case of a riboflavin deficiency. The sooner it is treated when symptoms are seen, the better the chances to improve if it is a riboflavin deficiency. Liver, beef, chopped almonds, and egg yolk are some of the foods high in riboflavin. Vitamin B complex 1/4 tablet daily has plenty. I really hope it is a deficiency, and not Mareks. Here is an article to read:
https://thepoultrysite.com/publications/diseases-of-poultry/217/vitamin-b2-deficiency

 

[Nor-Cal Chickens]

I’m still feeding starter to them. I haven’t seen her as being low on the pecking order as I see her take a quick peck at some that pass by her on occasions.

I will feed her some egg with almonds chopped in there. I’ll keep a closer eye on her and see how things progress. Thanks for the help and please chime in with anything else that comes to mind.

 

[coach723]

How old is she, sorry, I neglected to ask that before?

 

[Nor-Cal Chickens]

She’s about 3 months old now