paralysis in 2 of my hens legs, strange signs here, help!!!

[whiteshepherdlady]

Strange ...
I went out to care for my adolescent hens and I too have one that isn't using her foot or leg. I picked her up to check her foot and her claws seem fine, all seems ok but she just doesn't use it. It's like she's laying on her eggs only there are none!! She's just not using her leg or foot. I'mm go look up Mericks as I don't have any idea was that is ... she was fine until today tho !!
I sure hope my lil chickie is gonna be ok !!
Karen

 

[5Leepy!]

Just double-checking... she's not moulting, is she? Not showing any signs of loss of feathers?

Thanks,
5Leepy!

 

[animaladdictions]

Oh my. I'm so sorry for all of you that are going through this. I too have always been told that vaccinating a backyard flock isn't necessary. I always thought those major diseases were common in hatchery or food production type places. I'm going to get vaccines for my birds first thing payday! I had a real scare this evening with one of my gold-laced polish hens, and now I'm terrified that it could be something that might potentially kill my whole flock. I check on my birds several times a day, and all day long, everyone was just fine (except for one of my geese but that's a whole other story). This evening when I went to put everyone to bed for the night, I noticed one of my Polish hens was laying at the back of the pen. This is a new pen and they've only been using it for about two weeks. There are two roos and two hens in this pen. Well, to make a long story a bit shorter, one roo and one hen figured out the roosting stick right away, the other two however, have been completely clueless. I have to literally pick them up and put them on their roost every night. I've watched both of them to see why they aren't roosting, and they both just seem confused about it. The one roo has even jumped at the front of the pen which is just chicken wire. Anyway, as usual, both were on the ground tonight, but I could tell right away that something wasn't right with the hen. I went over to get her, and was shocked at what I saw! Her neck was twisted completely around and her head was upside down and she was looking straight up at me! I'm not talking about her head laying towards her back, I mean it was completely twisted around like the exorcist or something! Anywho, I calmed myself down, put the roo on the perch, and began to examine her. At first, she was rather limp, and still had the crazy neck so I started petting her, I straightened out her neck and sort of massaged it, feeling for lumps or ...ACK! a break? I coaxed her, trying to get her to stand and after a few minutes, she did. She seemed to be a bit dazed, but I went
ahead and put her on the perch. I went and put the ducks up and when I came
back, she was back on the ground. I coaxed her to stand again, saw that she seemed a little more "normal", and put her back up on the perch. I've went out and checked on her about five times now and she's still perching. I hate if she's hurt herself or sorta knocked herself senseless, but I'd much rather that than Mareks or some other disease. I really hope that's all it is. I've been on byc all night trying to find out about twisted neck, and apparently, that too can be a symptom of Mereks so I'm super worried! If she's acting strange in the mornin, she'll go right into my house (in a crate) for intensive care.

Any of you had twisted neck type symptoms? Also, with your birds, were they literally fine one minute and sick the next or did they gradually go downhill? Thanks guys. Sorry about the ridiculously long post. I'll be prayin for you and your birds.

 

[rhodered10]

My girl also showed signs of being broody even though there werent any eggs her to be boody with, she did seem like she was molting because she stopped laying for quite a while but it could have just been that way because she was sick. I hope everyone elses chickens r okay, my girl is learning to walk all over again poor thing but as long as she keeps improving no matter how slow im glad. No signs of a twisted neck either, i guess i may never know...

 

[rhodered10]

Quote:
Ur poor girl i hope she is okay i dont know what it could be but when i used to ride horses at a stable they had a young horse there who had a disease that caused his neck to sometimes get locked into a certain position and the when u would massage it he would be fine a little dazed butotherwise fine. I have no idea if that is what ur chicken has seeing as that was a horse that i was talking about but u never know. I dont know if u read but i actualy had two hens go down at once with the same thing it was very sudden but then just as suddenly one got better and was completly fine and then the other, the girl who is still recovering, got worse. Mine didnt have a twisted neck just leg paralysis and decreased appetite and also decreased activity, green poo came later when she refused to eat. I hope ur chickens r okay and make a swift recovery, just keep hope i know alot of people told me my girl wouldnt make it but shes still cruizin!

 

[animaladdictions]

Thanks for the kind wishes. I'm still keeping all in my thoughts and prayers. Good news for my little Polish hen! She apparently just knocked herself senseless. I went out and checked on her several times throughout the night, and she was totally back to normal in the morning. Luckily she didn't have any wounds or anything either. So, I guess it was just a freak accident that temporarily knocked her silly. I'm keeping a close eye on her just in case, but I think she's gonna be just fine. I hope everyone here see's some real improvement with their birdie babies. It's so upsetting seeing the things we love get sick or injured, but I honestly don't think I could be happy without them!

Blessings to you all! Keep in touch! I truly want to know how your babies are doing.

 

[seminolewind]

Quote:
I'm glad she's okay. I don't know anything about wry neck. I would give her a good bangs trimming to make sure she can see real well. It might help for the future.

 

[rhodered10]

Quote:
Thats great! I had one of my hens just go back to normal like that too it was the weirdest thing, the good news she is still perfectly healthy so i hope ur hen turns out the same way. Un fortunatly i just had another one of my hens starting to get sick too same symptoms, shes one of my favorites too.

she doesnt look very good, preparing myself for the worst.