My chicken can't walk!

[ChickenLady819]

2 days ago I went outside to feed my chickens and I noticed one of my Rhode Island Reds was limping and favoring her right leg. I thought she must have just injured it and would heal in a few days. When I went outside yesterday I noticed she was laying on her side with her legs outstretched behind her. I was instantly worried as I've never had an injured chicken before. I didn't know much about what had happened so I simply just gave her loads of treats like mealworms and I provided her with accessible food and water. Today she got a little better but I'm still worried. Her legs are no longer outstretched behind her, she still has an appetite, and she moved from the nesting box to the main part of the coop twice. 2 of my chickens started pecking at her and I noticed her comb was bleeding. She is currently in a quiet box inside with wood chips as bedding and accessible food and water. I also plan on taking her out for sun a few times a day until she gets better. There are no vets near me sadly and my dad thinks she may not make it. I have hope that she will. She is a 3 year old Rhode Island Red and she eats Crumble feed by purina. I've been trying to give her TLC and high protein snacks. Is there anything else is can do to help her? When I pick her up she doesn't respond much but her toes curl under my finger. She also has an appetite.

 

[Bridger Davis]

She is definitely getting old! For sure just keep her away from the other hens and maybe try providing niacin? I'm not completely sure but that is given to ducks to provide strength in their legs.

 

[Eggcessive]

Welcome to BYC. Instead of just niacin, I would give her 1/2 vitamin B complex tablet crushed into her food daily, or use a poultry vitamin that contains riboflavin (note that NutriDrench does not.) I wonder about the possibility of Mareks disease, although it is usually more of a problem in young birds. Has she been exposed to any new birds in your flock recently? Injuries can also be common, possibly to her back or spine. Make sure that she can reach her food and water. Let us know how she is doing tomorrow.

 

[ChickenLady819]

She is definitely getting old! For sure just keep her away from the other hens and maybe try providing niacin? I'm not completely sure but that is given to ducks to provide strength in their legs.

Thank you so much for your help! Although I'm not sure if she's entirely getting old because my hens usually live to be around 5 but I appreciate the feedback

 

[ChickenLady819]

Welcome to BYC. Instead of just niacin, I would give her 1/2 vitamin B complex tablet crushed into her food daily, or use a poultry vitamin that contains riboflavin (note that NutriDrench does not.) I wonder about the possibility of Mareks disease, although it is usually more of a problem in young birds. Has she been exposed to any new birds in your flock recently? Injuries can also be common, possibly to her back or spine. Make sure that she can reach her food and water. Let us know how she is doing tomorrow.

She had easy access to her food and water. I've also been trying to give her loads of mealworms because they're high in protein. She has an appetite. She has been exposed to younger birds in the flock which are around 1 1/2 years old but they haven't experienced any diseases. This is my first hen I've had this problem with.

 

[BirdHead]

I'm having troubles reading this thread,

Why are y'all chickens having such short life spans ? They're supposed to live upwards past 7 years.

Oldest rooster was 17, it was of Gamefowl though..

 

[Bridger Davis]

Wow those sound like high numbers! My chickens slowly died around 2-3 years old. They lost appetite and just died.

 

[BirdHead]

Dear god I'm so sorry to hear such!!
That'd break me to see!

I think it's also a type of breed thing as well.. From what I've read and heard orientals live longer lives then many layers, but I'm no expert by no means!

Wow those sound like high numbers! My chickens slowly died around 2-3 years old. They lost appetite and just died.