Our chicken cannot walk

[MzOakGrove]

She got better and was walking for a while, but she has very shaky legs and can't walk. We don't know enough about Marek's disease to know if this is the issue. We're down to one chicken, due to a move & predators ... and don't have the heart to put her down if we don't have to.

Thanks for any advice.

 

[Eggcessive]

Welcome to BYC. Can you post a video of her if you stand to her up? It would need to be posted to YouTube with a link posted here. Pictures instead, would be okay. Can she use either leg, was one weaker than the other, did she hold one up, and have you noticed her ever walking on her hocks or having curled under toes? Mareks is usually considered when a chicken is lame or cannot walk, but she may have suffered an injury, a vitamin deficiency, or another cause. Sorry that she is lame. Does she eat and drink?

A lame chicken can be placed in a chicken sling to get them upright and in front of food and water. They can spend time in there, but take them out to sleep or to stretch often. You will find some examples in this link:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/versions-of-chick-chairs-please.1166308/

Here is a good link to read all about Mareks:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq.66077/

 

[lcwmt]

On of my Buff Orpingtons is lame. She can get about on her hocks, just enough to get to food and water as well as in and out of a nesting box. She can not curl her toes, does not scratch or roost - she apparently has no sensation in her feet.
One of her wings is stronger than the other but she can not fly.
When she was about 4 m.o. we noticed the issue. I took her to a Vet who agreed to look at a chicken - this was a 95 mile round trip - not lightly undertaken.

I wanted to rule out illness that might be contagious to the other pullets, or an injury which might be remedied.
The Vet gave a diagnosis of neurological issue, said there was no need to euthanize.
She got to POL a bit later than her age mates. Until she went into molt a month ago she was the most consistent layer in the group. Nice big eggs, good shells, 6 per week.

If I found myself with another pullet with those symptoms I would give Niacin just to rule out a deficiency. Last year I didn't know about that possibility.

She should have her nails trimmed. BeeKissed posted a good tutorial on this. I need to look it up, steel myself and do the job.

 

[Eggcessive]

Instead of just Niacin (vitamin B 3) it is probably better to crush a vitamin B complex tablet, and give 1/4 to 1/2 daily mixed into some feed or a treat, such as egg. Riboflavin deficiency (vitamin B 2) is more common in chickens. Ducks can suffer from niacin deficiency on occasion.

 

[lcwmt]

Instead of just Niacin (vitamin B 3) it is probably better to crush a vitamin B complex tablet, and give 1/4 to 1/2 daily mixed into some feed or a treat, such as egg. Riboflavin deficiency (vitamin B 2) is more common in chickens. Ducks can suffer from niacin deficiency on occasion.

Thanks! I will remember.

 

[MzOakGrove]

Welcome to BYC. Can you post a video of her if you stand to her up? It would need to be posted to YouTube with a link posted here. Pictures instead, would be okay. Can she use either leg, was one weaker than the other, did she hold one up, and have you noticed her ever walking on her hocks or having curled under toes? Mareks is usually considered when a chicken is lame or cannot walk, but she may have suffered an injury, a vitamin deficiency, or another cause. Sorry that she is lame. Does she eat and drink?

A lame chicken can be placed in a chicken sling to get them upright and in front of food and water. They can spend time in there, but take them out to sleep or to stretch often. You will find some examples in this link:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/versions-of-chick-chairs-please.1166308/

Here is a good link to read all about Mareks:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq.66077/

 

[MzOakGrove]

Thank you for your prompt reply! I'm in a wheelchair; posting this for my Granddaughter. I'll ask her to make a video. Granddaughter thought of using a sling .. so sounds like she's on to something. I don't think it's an injury. We feed her well ... and yes, she eats and drinks. Thank you again!!

 

[MzOakGrove]

Thanks! I will remember.

Oh, the vitamin B information sounds great. Will do! Thank you!!