Loss of Balance, falling over?

AnimalsComeFirst

Songster
8 Years
Jun 6, 2011
1,887
152
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Hugging a Chicken
My 8 month old Delaware hen, Sophia, whom we recently adopted 2 months ago, has always had this balance problem. Her last owner said she was born w/ it.

Symptoms:
Falling over
Flapping wings to catch herself
Twisted back/legs
Laying down alot
Curling toes together when loosing balance
Litteraly falling on her rear end, she will sit on her but for a few moments before making a complete fall.


I haven't treated her with anything yet, i've read this could be mareks or newcastle, but it would of passed along to the other birds by now if it were either of those. I've heard she has a lack of calcium intake? Should I be feeding her yogurt maybe?

Her back and legs are twisted to the right...

 
Newcastle is a reportable disease. You would know if it was in your area.

Marek's? I don't think so. The presentation is not representative of Marek's.

I think she has issues from a poor hatch. Curvatures to the spine and twisted limbs can be caused by too low humidity during hatching. It's a wonder that this bird hatched at all with all those defects. I am guessing her problems are either a hatch defect or a genetic fault. You aren't going be able to do anything about it anyways. I would not use her as breed stock should you ever hatch your own eggs in case she does have some genetic issue. I think she may also have some neurological issues along with the physical defects. Again, nothing you are going to be able to fix.

I would keep her comfortable and let her live out her life. As long as she an get around well enough to live a decent life, then I would let her go.

Good luck.
 

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