Older hen trouble walking then sits with legs in front of her

[clamccauley]

I have a 6 year old buff orpington that really struggled staying warm during a long hard Texas freeze in February. I have 12 hens and all others were comfortable and thriving but she was shivering and obviously having hard time regulating her body temp. We brought her in the house for 2 days and she bounced right back.

About a week later she would walk normal and then teeter back and forth before plopping down. Didn't seem to be in pain....just confused. When I walk up to her to check on her she would stand up and take off running with no trouble. She's progressively gotten worse. She sits for longer periods of time with her legs straight in front of her and will use her wings to stabilize herself at times when she does get up to walk. My hens free range during the day and I would help get her to food and water as she was determined to stay with her flock as they roamed and I didn't want her struggling to get back to water.

So, a week later and she just sits most of the day with her legs in front of her. She gets to food and water but her legs wobble when she walks and she plops down more often. I tried penning her up to keep her from walking on it but that really seemed to stress her out more. She seems very content sitting in the grass with the other hens (who stay close to her) and I make sure she constantly has food and water nearby wherever she happens to be.

Is this just old age? What are signs of pain? I don't want her to suffer.

 

[Waves]

Could you post a picture or a video? Have you noticed other illness signs like strange poops..?

 

[clamccauley]

Could you post a picture or a video? Have you noticed other illness signs like strange po

Could you post a picture or a video? Have you noticed other illness signs like strange poops..?

 

[clamccauley]

I can't get a video to load. ? Nothing else is unusual. I could not catch her walking but she stands up and if she wobbles she will use her wing to stabilize herself for a few steps and then kinda falls/plops back down. She can take about 10-15 steps that way.

 

[Waves]

Have you checked for egg bounding? is she laying eggs?

 

[clamccauley]

Have you checked for egg bounding? is she laying eggs?

 

[clamccauley]

She laid an egg two days ago on the floor where she sleeps. She hasn't laid more than 2-3 a week since summer so that's fairly normal but hasn't been able to perch in roost for almost two weeks. She's not near as hefty as she was this summer but is eating and drinking. She'll hop up and come over if she thinks I have a tomato or other treat. When she's excited like that she takes 1-2 steps and then hops with both feet, then 1-2 steps again before stumbling and having to sit down. Like her legs just quit on her.

 

[Waves]

ok, i don' know...
@Wyorp Rock could you help please?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I'm not sure what's going on with her, especially if she's laying eggs.
You can try vitamin therapy to see if that helps. 1/4 tablet B-Complex.
It may be age related or she may have some type of reproductive issue that is starting to show up - a mass or cancer pressing on a nerve(?) just a guess. Possible injury.

Some may suggest a sling, but if she's stressed by being separated and seems to be fairly content with the flock, isn't being picked at, etc., then I would be more inclined to leave her to move about as she's wishes/is able to, but monitor her daily to ensure she's eating/drinking well, there's no lice/mites (she may not dust bath much if she has limited mobility), that her bottom stays fairly clean if she's sitting a lot and that her crop is emptying overnight.

Some others like @Eggcessive @coach723 and @azygous may want to chime in with their thoughts too.

 

[azygous]

It would be good to rule out petroleum distillates poisoning. This toxin can affect balance and motor function, often resulting in paralysis. It doesn't take much. A few bits of gravel contaminated with hydraulic or transmission fluid. Insecticides will cause it if in small amounts that it doesn't kill outright.

Mold can cause these symptoms, as well. Moldy compost or feed needs to be ruled out.

Lamenes is terribly difficult to diagnose and treat. Good luck.