My Chook has a bad leg!!

[Cragg Klefor]

Hi FinneFarm
Sorry too hear your chicken is unwell!
It would definitely be best get her to a vet as soon as possible. It sounds like she is rapidly declining!
Can you say what age she is?
What you feed your flock including treats,
have they access to oyster shell,
has she ever been ill before?
If you have Vit B Complex get some into her.

 

[Butterscotchbitesfinger]

Just checked her. Couldn't find any ticks. I have no idea what a vet costs.

Okay so my vet put a hen wig a similar problem down for nothing cause it already hurt enough having to make the decision, but sadly I didn’t have a choice there was no way of helping her recover so that wa the most humane thing to do. Try the above of what @Cragg Klefor suggested and see what works

 

[Cragg Klefor]

Some info for you to have a read, see what you think :http://www.thepoultrysite.com/publications/6/diseases-of-poultry/217/vitamin-b2-deficiency/

 

[FinneFarm]

Hi FinneFarm
Sorry too hear your chicken is unwell!
It would definitely be best get her to a vet as soon as possible. It sounds like she is rapidly declining!
Can you say what age she is?
What you feed your flock including treats,
have they access to oyster shell,
has she ever been ill before?
If you have Vit B Complex get some into her.

Shes only about 18months old. Her food is Barastock that claims to have all the supplements. None of my birds have ever been ill. what type of Vit B? I only have human supplements. Are they ok?

 

[Butterscotchbitesfinger]

Some info for you to have a read, see what you think :http://www.thepoultrysite.com/publications/6/diseases-of-poultry/217/vitamin-b2-deficiency/

I just read this it is o sad noooo

 

[rebrascora]

Unfortunately this is sounding like it could be Marek's disease and if that is the case, a vet will not be able to help. I can't see both her legs in the photo, if one is forward and the other back, that would make Marek's more likely as the split's posture is one of the classic Marek's symptoms but not all birds with Marek's will do that, so if she isn't one leg forward and one back, it doesn't rule out Marek's.
How old is she and where did you get her from? Have you had her long or added any new birds to the flock in recent months? The stress of being unable to access her favoured nest box to lay may have triggered it as the virus can lie dormant for weeks months or even years until triggered by a stressful event.
It could also be that she is egg bound perhaps with soft shelled or shell less egg(s) and they are pressing on her sciatic nerve and causing the paralysis. If that is the case, giving her a soak in a warm Epsom Salts bath (make sure to dry her thoroughly afterwards with a warm hair drier) and perhaps an internal exam to feel for a stuck egg inside her vent and some calcium.... like a human calcium tablet with vitamin D or a Tums indigestion tablet crushed and crumbled over some scrambled egg to get her to eat it might help. I would also give her a crushed human Vitamin B complex tablet in the same way or some Nutri Drench or Poultry Cell vitamin supplement.... whatever you can readily lay hands on to try to help if it is Marek's. Unfortunately there is no recognised treatment for Marek's and it can prove fatal, but some birds will recover from the paralysis of an outbreak and it can happen as quickly as it came on . As long as she is still eating there is hope, so do your best to keep her interest in food.
She may also benefit from being placed in a sling or hammock to keep her upright. They can be make quite simply from everyday items.... see picture below...

Food and water pots can be clipped to the front of the box and if she needs more support a wider band of fabric can be used and a third hole cut in it under her vent for poop to drop through. It needs to be adjusted so that her feet just touch the bottom as sometimes they panic if they feel like they are suspended in mid air.

 

[rebrascora]

That Vitamin B supplement will be fine. Crush a tablet and sprinkle on whatever she will eat but scrambled egg is usually a favourite and don't forget to give her some calcium too in case it is an egg production issue.

 

[rebrascora]

Has she moulted yet? At 18 months she should be moulting now or just coming out of moult. That can cause egg shells to be poor quality.

 

[FinneFarm]

both feet are out the front, not splits. I have just given her 1/4 tablet Uncrushed (it’s night so I’ll crush some in breakfast) think I need to adjust my flocks eating habits as they don’t eat the fine grains in the bottom of the feeder. Probably where the good stuff is. Brew shop tomorrow for some yeast. I have a pigeon problem in my run, so spread of Maleks is inevitable. She is from a reputable breeder, so surely vacced. She’s still only year + 1/2 old. I got new girls 6 months ago.

 

[FinneFarm]

Has she moulted yet? At 18 months she should be moulting now or just coming out of moult. That can cause egg shells to be poor quality.

She hasn’t moulted yet. Calcium boost tomorrow.