Paralyzed hen with labored breathing

[kallan]

Early this morning, I noticed one of my hens could not stand. I remember yesterday noticing she was sitting on her egg in the pen area. I didn't think anything of it at the time because she went broody along with the Swedish Flower Hen she is in with that now is mothering (4 ) two and a half week old chicks. They took turns sitting on the eggs, etc. so I left her in with the broody, but removed all others. I believe the problem is that maybe she did not get enough nourishment, etc. because the broody could be mean at times. I am hoping this is the case and not a disease outbreak.

I brought her in immediately and started her on Vitamin E, B12, calcium, high potency garlic capsules, yogurt, her regular food, organic sunbutter, Poly Vi Sol vitamins, lots of organic grapes, etc. She has perked up, but still is unable to get up and she is still mouth-breathing when not eating. I noticed when she had a poop a few hours ago, it was mostly sand. I am afraid that she may have been paralyzed yesterday when I thought she was sitting on that egg, during the heat, without water or food.....just sand to nibble on!

Could something like this cause paralysis? She kept closing her eyes so much when I brought her in that I thought surely she was a goner, but she is very alert now and keeps watching my every move. Will the paralysis get better? What should I be doing?

Thanks for any thoughts you may have on this. I hope your chickens are safe with this heat. I'm freezing water in quart yogurt containers and adding this to their existing water to keep it a little cooler longer.

 

[Shadowhatter]

She will get better. Keep doing what you are doing. Take it kinda slow. Keep her in sight. Make sure she has food and water. It is OK.

 

[kallan]

My beautiful mixed bantam has taken a turn for the worse. She will not eat today and is shaking probably due to being feverish. She is talking to me as to say "I am suffering, please do something." She is tired of me cleaning her and coaxing her to eat. It saddens me greatly because I thought she was going to get better. She has been alert and eating up until yesterday and seemed to be trying to use her wings.

I am thinking of using the car exhaust as the form of euthanasia so she will pass peacefully. I have not begun to cull a chicken yet, but I know I will need to in the near future. What methods have you used to end their suffering. Thanks.

 

[Chickensaurous]

MAREKS DISEASE MAREKS DISEASE MAREKS DISEASE NEVER MIX YOUNG AND OLD BIRDS WITH THIS DISEASE

 

[kallan]

MAREKS DISEASE MAREKS DISEASE MAREKS DISEASE NEVER MIX YOUNG AND OLD BIRDS WITH THIS DISEASE

I have been reading this link: https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq and following the links noted. She is the only hen that was in with the broody and her 4 chicks. She has been in there since she was a chick and is now around 1 1/2 years. I have been viewing videos of chickens with this disease and she does not have the gray iris, one leg in front and the other splayed backwards or the crooked neck symptoms. I was thinking it was more of a heat stroke since the broody kept her from the water and food. Wishful thinking? I will definitely keep this broody and her 4 chicks away from the other chickens. It sounds like it can travel a ways in the air, so I am in panic mode now. I guess I will just see what arises. I have had chicken keepers over here around 3 times since December so it could have been brought in with them. I know one has a lot of chickens and takes in all chickens and swaps them out on a regular basis. I give them my extra roosters. Most of my chickens, I have raised from my own eggs.

I do not want to just randomly destroy all my chickens at this point. Have you had a mareks outbreak and , if so, what did you do?

 

[Chickensaurous]

Is may not be so dont stress yet but if they are not growing or if they are unnaturally hungry aswell as being parilised l it definitely is

 

[Chickensaurous]

It's the only disease I can think of that causes paralysis, my chickens did get this disease and most of them lived try this method if they are showing all the symptoms please don't stress though cause their is a cure It is a homeopathic remedy called "Hypericum." Hypericum is a small creeping herb that, when used hollistically, numbs nerves and dulls pain. When given to a bird suffering from the symptoms of Marek's Disease, it will cure the bird by working on the theory that "like cures like," in other words, by giving the bird the symptoms it will take the symptoms away. I've used this herb with great success to fully cure birds of Marek's Disease. You can fnd Hypericum at health food stores, $8 for 100 tablets. Hypericum must be diluted before it can be used:

- 1 tablespoon of DISTILLED water per tablet Hypericum (must be distilled water, tap water is ionized and will deactivate the Hypericum)
- MUST be mixed in a GLASS or PLASTIC bowl (metal with react with the water and herb)
- drip 5-10 drops (bantam) or 10-15 drops (large fowl) on the afflicted bird's tongue. Be sure the bird rubs its beak together because the Hypericum MUST touch the sinuses (located on the roof of the mouth) in order to work
- treat every 12 hours (morning and night) with a fresh batch
- recovery may be as quick as 1 day or as slow as several months

The treatment works best if you begin treating early. If you delay treatment, the Hypericum may not work or it may be a very slow recovery. IF YOU OVERDOSE YOUR BIRDS ON HYPERICUM, don't worry. The bird will exhibit extreme symptoms, and make a drastic improvment within a 24 hours. Hypericum is also helpful for pain. Only treat birds that are showing symptoms.

Good luck

 

[kallan]

Is may not be so dont stress yet but if they are not growing or if they are unnaturally hungry aswell as being parilised l it definitely is

She just started eating yogurt, B12 and hidden scrambled egg in the yogurt after I posted I was going to euthanize her. She had a few grapes as well. I had an egg and cheddar on an english muffin earlier and she ate some of the muffin...not much nutrition in the bread, though. I still haven't put her down yet. She keeps trying to stand and her fever seems to have passed. May give her another 24 hours........

I have some powdered lysine which seems to have worked miracles on some of my older cats. May try putting it into a tiny capsule for her.

 

[Chickensaurous]

It sounds like your looking after her as best you can maybe try some corn or cat food for her energy, remember there's always a chance she will pull through

 

[Fancychooklady]

If you are giving polyvisol there is no need for all the other things. There are many ailments that will send a chicken down. When was the last time she was wormed ? Can you post a pic of her poop? Cocci is another possibility . Is there any chance she may have eaten something that was rancid or mouldy?
If it is very hot outside she may have heat stroke. Pictures of your chicken and her poop would help with identifying her problem.