Odd Pullet behavior

[denhenhouse]

I've spoken with a few people - animal people of varying degrees - and they all think its some neurological/brain issue with this specific bird as all my others are showing no symptoms.

She is now completely unable to walk and has stopped eating and drinking. Understandably, she's lost quite a bit of weight as well. I have worked to make her as comfortable as possible in a little chicken hospice situation within the coop, as separating her more from her flock stresses her out.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I've spoken with a few people - animal people of varying degrees - and they all think its some neurological/brain issue with this specific bird as all my others are showing no symptoms.

She is now completely unable to walk and has stopped eating and drinking. Understandably, she's lost quite a bit of weight as well. I have worked to make her as comfortable as possible in a little chicken hospice situation within the coop, as separating her more from her flock stresses her out.

So sorry!
I agree with your animal experts that she is suffering from a neurological/brain issue.
Sadly, it sounds like she is on her way out, it may be kinder to put her out of her misery instead of her wasting. Not always a popular point of view, but there comes a time when nothing else can be done.
Sending the body to your state lab can give your some definitive answers.
http://csu-cvmbs.colostate.edu/vdl/Pages/default.aspx

Here's some reading about Marek's for you
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq.66077/

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I agree it sounds exactly like Mareks unfortunately.

 

[aart]

Could be Mareks or could be the ear infection....only a necrospy will tell for sure.

 

[JustUsChickens3]

I am having almost the exact same issue with one of my girls. She is a pullet and has not laid yet. It's been going on for two weeks. She seems fine during the day other then a little slower then the other girls and keeps to herself . At night she wont even attempt to roost and just finds a spot on the ground. If I place her on a roost she falls off. And she has that strange neck tilt. I feel so bad that she is not living her best life but since she is eating and drinking fine I feel like putting her down is not the option...yet. did your girl ever improve or did she pass?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I am having almost the exact same issue with one of my girls. She is a pullet and has not laid yet. It's been going on for two weeks. She seems fine during the day other then a little slower then the other girls and keeps to herself . At night she wont even attempt to roost and just finds a spot on the ground. If I place her on a roost she falls off. And she has that strange neck tilt. I feel so bad that she is not living her best life but since she is eating and drinking fine I feel like putting her down is not the option...yet. did your girl ever improve or did she pass?

@JustUsChickens3 I'm sorry to hear about your pullet.
Hopefully the OP will respond to your question.
If you have photos you would like to share that would be good.
How old is your pullet?

You mention a head tilt in your pullet, that sounds like Wry Neck which is a neurological condition that can be caused by vitamin deficiency, genetics, injury and certain diseases like Marek's.
You can try offering vitamin therapy to see if that makes a difference. 400IU Vitamin E, plus 1/4 tablet B-Complex. Give egg, tuna or sunflower seeds for Selenium.

Watch to see if your pullet is being kept from food and check her over for lice/mites. Feel her crop first thing in the morning before she eats/drinks to see if it's emptying o.k.

Look forward to more information and your photos

 

[denhenhouse]

I am having almost the exact same issue with one of my girls. She is a pullet and has not laid yet. It's been going on for two weeks. She seems fine during the day other then a little slower then the other girls and keeps to herself . At night she wont even attempt to roost and just finds a spot on the ground. If I place her on a roost she falls off. And she has that strange neck tilt. I feel so bad that she is not living her best life but since she is eating and drinking fine I feel like putting her down is not the option...yet. did your girl ever improve or did she pass?

Hi there JustUsChickens. Unfortunately, my girl passed this weekend almost exactly a month since her symptoms started. As I mentioned in my last post 10 days ago she stopped being able to walk and also stopped eating and drinking.
Like WykorpRock recommended to you, I would echo the use of vitamin e and b complex. Her neck issue went away after a few days of that but she just continued to deteriorate in other ways.

hoping you girls heals up to lay.