I have a problem with one of my son's 4-H banties. They are 5 months old. They came from a NPIP certified flock. They are not currently free range they are pastured, and have tested negative for AI/Pullorum within the last 30 days. They are on a diet of Layena crumbles, plus they get a handlful of Purina scratch in the morning supplemented with safflowerseeds.
This morning I found one of my barred rock bantam pullets flopping around like she was dusting herself. I went to move the chicken tractor to a fresh patch of grass like I do everyday and she would not/could not stand or walk. She is bright and alert, accepts food and water readily. When I turned her upside down and all around to examine her for any obvious injury she could kick her legs and they were coordinated and quite strong. Her wings will flap and flex normally. The only thing that I can say that is out of the ordinary other than not being able to stand is her grip is not as strong as it usually is. She had not started laying eggs yet, but just in case something might be stuck I donned some vinyl gloves got out the KY and checked to see if she had anything bound. I could put my whole pinky finger in her vent and found nothing but some stool. I brought her inside and observed her for a while, sometimes she sit sternally, and she fans out her tail feathers, but mostly she just wants to lay on her side. I put her in a dog crate with a heating pad on low under a thick blanket, she flopped herself over to the pad and is laying on her side.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
This morning I found one of my barred rock bantam pullets flopping around like she was dusting herself. I went to move the chicken tractor to a fresh patch of grass like I do everyday and she would not/could not stand or walk. She is bright and alert, accepts food and water readily. When I turned her upside down and all around to examine her for any obvious injury she could kick her legs and they were coordinated and quite strong. Her wings will flap and flex normally. The only thing that I can say that is out of the ordinary other than not being able to stand is her grip is not as strong as it usually is. She had not started laying eggs yet, but just in case something might be stuck I donned some vinyl gloves got out the KY and checked to see if she had anything bound. I could put my whole pinky finger in her vent and found nothing but some stool. I brought her inside and observed her for a while, sometimes she sit sternally, and she fans out her tail feathers, but mostly she just wants to lay on her side. I put her in a dog crate with a heating pad on low under a thick blanket, she flopped herself over to the pad and is laying on her side.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
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