HeatherChickenMom
In the Brooder
- Apr 12, 2021
- 6
- 10
- 21
Ok, let's start with some background. I have 7 chickens, 4 over a year old and 3 that are still growing that I purchased from a hatchery and had them vaccinated (for Marek's). Like a fool, I decided to buy 3 from a local breeder who were not vaccinated. I ended up with 2 hens and a rooster in that bunch. One of the hens JUST started laying 2 weeks ago and right around that time she went lame. She can sort of hobble around, but can't roost. There are no signs of injury, no bumblefoot. She is fed Kalmbach 17% layer pellets. She also used to spend most of her day free ranging. I offer oyster shell in case they want/need it.
Once she went lame, I separated her from the flock and she has spent a week in my garage. I've been giving her yogurt with crushed up B complex (which also contains calcium), D, E and Selenium. I'm seeing zero improvement. Is it too soon for the vitamins to help? Should I chock this up to Marek's and have my husband cull her?
Other things to note....she is eating, but not great. She does devour the yogurt though. She seems perky. She has laid 2 eggs since her lameness with very thin shells, but also 2 with normal shells. This of course is only adding to my uncertainty. I've noticed the last 2 days she has had a lot of diarrhea as well.
Thoughts from you chicken pros???
Once she went lame, I separated her from the flock and she has spent a week in my garage. I've been giving her yogurt with crushed up B complex (which also contains calcium), D, E and Selenium. I'm seeing zero improvement. Is it too soon for the vitamins to help? Should I chock this up to Marek's and have my husband cull her?
Other things to note....she is eating, but not great. She does devour the yogurt though. She seems perky. She has laid 2 eggs since her lameness with very thin shells, but also 2 with normal shells. This of course is only adding to my uncertainty. I've noticed the last 2 days she has had a lot of diarrhea as well.
Thoughts from you chicken pros???
