One Pullet (6 1/2 months old) progressively got lame - ended up after a couple weeks unable to move.

[CarolJ]

We had to put down a barred rock pullet (6 1/2 months old) last week. She had been getting progressively lamer. She started out kinda squat-walking - belly getting lower and lower, tail pointed down. At first I couldn't tell anything was wrong with her because she'd walk normally for a bit - then she'd start walking like she was dragging her belly. Over the course of at least a couple weeks she got progressively worse. Finally, she was unable to move at all. During the whole time, though, she looked alert - and would eat and drink and move around the coop and run. So I figured it was an injury and not an illness. Up until the last few days, she would perch on the lowest perch each night rather than going to the top like usual - until finally she was unable to jump/fly even that high. When she was unable to move, we knew that it was the humane thing to put her down. We figured she'd injured her leg somehow and it just wouldn't heal. My husband said that she was still alert and looking around when he culled her. In other words, she didn't act "sick" - she acted "injured" - at that's what it looked like to us.

So I thought that was it - an injury. . . . until today. I let the flock out to free-range, and I was sitting outside watching them when I saw another hen - about the same age as the other one doing EXACTLY the same thing. She was starting to walk the same way - with her tail down - not moving around much. When she went in tonight, she was roosting on the lowest perch. My heart sank. We've had chickens for two years - and I've never seen anything like this.

Now I'm scared. I've looked through the diseases posts - and I don't see anything with the same symptoms. I'm open to any help, insights, information. Thanks!

 

[bugglesmommy]

Hmmm.... Did you make sure she wasn't egg bound?

 

[CarolJ]

I thought of that but when I read the symptoms for a hen that's egg bound, the symptoms didn't fit her.

 

[BravewingTheHen]

Have you heard of Mareks? It is a disease that makes chickens unable to walk. Search it up on google and see if any of the symptoms match your bird. It is contagious, but only for chickens. I suggest you seperate the bird. You might be able to help it a bit by performing a special exercise where you hold it above the ground so it's feet just touch the ground, and sometimes within a few days they can somewhat walk.

 

[FarmerPie]

I know this is an old post, but I hope you will give an update as to what ever happened. I'm dealing with the same with my 6 month old Barred Rock. Same exact scenario. I could have written your post. We're going into our second week with it and I'm clueless as to what to do for her. She's eating fine and her eyes look fine. Just doesn't walk except for the squat scoot when she has to.

Whatever happened with your pullets? Did they ever get better? If so, what did you do, if anything...?

PLEASE, any help is much appreciated.