My chicken is doing the splits

[brynjim2012]

I'm so hoping someone can help my poor chicken. My husband and I are new to chickens. We have an almost 13 week old Sexlink. About 2 days ago we noticed her wobbling and eventually she wouldn't get up at all. We thought it was her leg or foot, but there doesn't seem to be anything specifically wrong w/ it. She wasn't able to get to the water or food, so we put her in a box w/ bedding, water and food. She scarfed her food and drank voraciously. Yesterday she seemed to slow down in the eating and drinking and didn't seem to have much energy. Today, she is lethargic. She cannot stand at all, her legs look as if she is running hurdles or the splits from front to back. It is just breaking my heart, we have 8 chickens all together and they have been such a joy over the last 6 weeks. I hate to see her suffer and if there is some home remedy we can try, I would gladly do it. Could someone please advise?

 

[jewel1]

Could it be Marek's? That paralyzes their legs..and I think it manifests at about that age. Was the chick vaccinated for Marek's?

If it is that, it's contagious...so you should keep the sick one quarnatined and look it up on this board for more info about the rest of your flock.

I hope it's something less serious..

 

[brynjim2012]

Thank you. We got all 8 of our pullets from the same farm and mother hens were vaccinated, but the chicks were not w/ the understanding that the vaccine is passed to the chicks. Were we wrong believing that bit of information? The other birds are not exhibiting any symptoms, however, after reading many other posts, it looks like it can come on at any time. Until a couple days ago, they were all sharing the same water and feed as well as coop. Is there any point in moving her from the coop? She is contained in a box up away from the others? She is still eating and drinking. I am so sad by this turn of events.

 

[seminolewind]

If your chicks were exposed to a carrier before you got them, they may have Marek's. Even if the hens were vaccinated. I'm not saying they have it, but they might. Looks like a classic symptom. If another one gets it, then I would say it's Marek's. There's no test, nothing you can do. Aside from that, any chick/chicken you bring home from now on needs to be vaccinated on day one and quarantined for 6-10 WEeks (or more or less) from any contamination.

I have alot of info at the bottom of my posts.

Keep this thread updated!

 

[jewel1]

I'm so sorry you're going through this.

I'm brand new to chickens and have a flock of 4 one-month old pullets. Unfortunately, I made a mistake when I ordered my chicks thinking they were automatically vaccinated at the hatchery, but it turns out I had to ask for that service or they don't do it...and now it's too late. Since mine are not vaccinated, I'm scared that they might catch this later...

--Julie

 

[brynjim2012]

This is great information. Thank you. She has a good appetite now, and is alert. Her eyes are clear and she doesn't seem to have lost any weight.
I read on one of these threads that there is an herbal supplement that can be given from health food stores, give it to her 2x a day and it can help her recover, not get rid of the disease, but she would be able to possibly survive. I think it's called Hypericum? Something like that, I will have to check the thread again before I go purchase it.

 

[seminolewind]

Jewel, don't worry. If you add to your flock, incubate your own or buy hatchery day olds. This way you won't infect the birds you have now. You'll have a closed flock.

 

[jewel1]

Jewel, don't worry. If you add to your flock, incubate your own or buy hatchery day olds. This way you won't infect the birds you have now. You'll have a closed flock.

I think I read that they can get it from wild birds...is that right? I live in a suburban neighborhood and only let the girls out of their run to run around my yard once a day or so...but are they likely to get it from wild birds that visit the yard? (Luckily, we have cats, so the wild birds don't hang out much)

--Julie

 

[FlyHigher]

So bad to hear this, it looks like Marek's disease...

 

[seminolewind]

Quote:
The wild bird thing. It can happen but it's really unlikely. A wild bird would have to visit a very nearby flock with Marek's, then leave the infected dander at your place. My neighbor has a flock next door, for 2 years now, he has never said anything about his chickens dying, and believe me, he's one that would be banging on my door for info if his birds were dying. He bangs on my door for everything else with his chickens!