Paralysis in legs

[Fairview01]

Ive read a lot of the posts on the forum about this and I'm convinced that the prognosis is dismal but i thought I'd give the combined intelligence here another wack at it.

Large fowl dark standard pullet Onset was sudden, less than 24 hours. Absolutely displays no signs of distress, pain or illness. Clear eyes, no discharges or diarrhea. The left leg seems 'stiff' when I move it. When i put her down the leg will move for a few seconds but it's impossible to know its a voluntary or involuntary muscle movements.

She seems oblivious to her situation. She is losing weight since she cant move around to get to food and water unlesd i place her there. She will eat and drink when it's in front of her and she keeps her vent clean somehow.

I rustled her from my mentor who showed me her and then was going to give her TTJ. I stopped him and brought her home to give you guys a wack at the problem.

I'm gonna put her down this weekend if there is no improvement in her problems. I figure its neurological like maybe from a stroke if chickens have strokes. Gonna stuff a meloxicam tablet down her throat this morning in case it's some sort of severe inflammation/arthritis.

Any suggestions no matter how off the wall will be entertained but I'm not gonna let her waste away to skin and bones and die an unpleasant death.

 

[micstrachan]

You are a good person to give her a chance, but also understanding she may need to be put down. I agree it seems neurological. How old is she? Marek’s is the first thing that comes to mind. Some hens can live well with it with a little extra TLC. Are you able to post photos? Also, posting a video to youtube and linking back here might help us see what’s going on.

Another possibility is botulism. Could she have gotten into rotting meat?

 

[Fairview01]

You are a good person to give her a chance, but also understanding she may need to be put down. I agree it seems neurological. How old is she? Marek’s is the first thing that comes to mind. Done hens can live well with it with a little extra TLC. Are you able to post photos? Also, posting a video to youtube and linking back here might help us see what’s going on.

Another possibility is botulism. Could she have gotten into rotting meat?

Shes about 8 months old. If my mentor even remotely suspected Mareks he would have killed it immediately. He's heavily invested in all varieties of large and bantam cornish plus several other breeds that are all quality birds.

Not much to see in a pic. Just a happy healrhy hen that can't stand or walk.

Unless she found a dead mouse to peck at all hos pens are immaculate and cleaned by his staff.

 

[micstrachan]

Does he have extreme biosecurity measures in place as well?

 

[Fairview01]

In respect to people and chickens. Absolutely. Only one other person has access to the farm. The 3 of us are geographically separated and our flocks are distantly related families so that if someone's flock craters we can get similiar genetics back. No one brings birds or strangers in from other flocks other than what we have in our flocks.

 

[micstrachan]

Wow, sounds like a serious operation. And each site has excellent biosecurity in place, as well? Like no wearing same boots at feed store that are worn on property, etc. None of the birds free range at all?

It sounds neurological, but I’m not sure what would cause that besides Marek’s, botulism, nutrient deficiency or head injury.

There are several others with more experience and knowledge than I have, so hopefully they will jump into the thread.