My 3 month old hen started out with a gimp leg and now keeps falling on her back

[Caelyns_mommy]

About 2 weeks ago I noticed my hen walking differently. I thought her leg was broken or out of socket...it progressively got worse and now every time I go it to check in her she's stuck on her back. I'm not sure what to do. Mentally she seems fine and doesn't seem like she's in pain.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Welcome, that doesn't sound good. I might suspect Mareks, especially since it has continued to get worse.

 

[Caelyns_mommy]

I have been reading that. I just don't want to believe it I guess If that's what it is would I just need to put her down? And how can I keep the other chickens from getting sick?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

We cull when it's apparent that they are suffering. Mareks is a disease that should be considered everywhere. Most chickens develop an immunity to it, a few will develop the tumors, and than show symptoms, and those are culled.

You can vaccinate birds for it but than every chicken gotten must be vaccinated as vaccinated birds can continue to shed the virus. It generally shows up in chicks from 8 weeks to 6 months.

There are some neurological problems that can be caused by vitamin deficiencies, and there's always a chance it's something like botulism, which can happen if they eat moldy feeds.

Generally if I see a young bird with coordination problems I suspect Mareks. I give them a week or two to see if they improve, if they don't they get culled. Last year we had to cull a little 10 week old bantam rooster, it's rough to cull babies.

 

[rebrascora]

3 months is the prime time for Marek's disease to manifest. I personally do not euthanize Marek's birds unless they lose interest in food and I've given some supportive care for months during which they have improved enough to return to free ranging with the flock.
You could make a simple DIY chicken sling/hammock to support her in an upright position and fix empty yoghurt pots for food and water to the framework with cable ties (zip ties) so that she can reach food and water easily through the day when you can't be there and is not soiling herself and lying in it. Getting her out into the sunshine for supervised fresh air and a bit of grass and being able to see other chickens and eat with them, albeit on the other side of a fence will help to stimulate her and keep her from getting depressed. I have had birds make significant if not miraculous recoveries from quite serious Marek's attacks where they were floundering on the ground unable to stand. Unfortunately, some deteriorate and die and those that do recover, will be prone to further and usually more serious attacks but that could be months if not years later, so I give them the chance to fight it as long as they are bright eyed and eating well. Supporting her immune system with vitamin supplements and good nutrition will also help. Of course you may just decide to end it for her now, but just wanted you to know that there is some hope and not all your birds will get sick with it. I've had it in my flock for 3 years and I lose maybe 3 or 4 to it each year but if you consider that my broody hens raised 56 chicks last year, that is not a really significant figure, although each individual loss is heart breaking.
I take the view that my flock has already been exposed to the virus, so I keep sick birds within the flock or in sight of it as much as possible, otherwise they get depressed and give up.
Good luck with your girl and the rest of your flock.

Regards

Barbara

 

[Caelyns_mommy]

Thank you!!! Do you have any pictures of your contraption? she seems mentally fine. Is eating and drinking well so it's hard to think we may need to cull her

 

[rebrascora]

I'm not very good at linking or embedding photos but if you do a google search for images of chicken slings or chicken hammocks you should find plenty of both professional looking ones and basic DIY using everyday items.
A strong cardboard box put inside an old t-shirt with the open end up over and then gather the fabric at the sides and clip with a clothes peg to tension it so that you have a sort of trampoline with the fabric supported by the box. Cut a small slot for each leg in the middle and another larger hole for underneath it's vent, so that poop can drop through. Place a container with some sawdust under the poop hole to catch the poop and another couple of slashes at the front for food and water containers. T-shirt material is great because it is soft and stretches, so a small slash will nicely stretch to support a yoghurt pot of food or water or a chickens legs in comfort.
Good luck with that. It makes a heap of difference being able to support them in a comfortable upright position so that they can feed themselves.

Best wishes

Barbara