Paralyzed hen

[Kelly's Chickens]

This afternoon when I went out to feed my chickens, my Buff Orpington rooster decided it was a good time to mount one of the hens. They all gather at the gate when I come out and everyone was fine. When the rooster finished his business and got off the hen, she couldn't move. Her legs were sticking out to one side and her body was twisted a bit so her head was looking straight ahead. (She looked sort of as if she were dead from the neck down.) She seemed to be paralyzed and had difficulty breathing. When I picked her up to help her stand, she fell forward onto her chest and her legs went out to the side twisting her body again. I've given her two warm water baths and she seems more comfortable. She drinks and ate some oatmeal but still can't stand on her own. I have her laying on my living room floor on a bath towel. The ends are rolled up next to her, parallel to her, to keep her upright in a laying position.
I didn't feel any broken bones anywhere on her. Her abdomen feathers are missing but I think that is because she is preparing to go broody. She's already changed the way she speaks.
Has anyone had experience with this happening? If so, what did you do and how did it turn out? I can take her to the vet but not until after 1pm tomorrow.

 

[daisy123]

I have a Cochin that is going through the same thing. She can't stand and when she wants to move she is using her wings. Her feet are moving, but she can't use them to stand. She is eating and drinking which is encouraging, but this has been going on for a week I just hope she comes out of it. I have been searching websites with no luck. Hope things work out for your bird.

 

[chickerdoodle]

Was she 100% normal immediately before mating? The paralysis you describe makes me think of Mareks disease but it usually affects chickens under a year of age. Of course a spinal injury could have occurred. I hope you take her to the vet if she's not herself by then.

I really hope she improves--and your hen as well, Daisy123.

 

[Kelly's Chickens]

I was able to take my hen to the vet this afternoon. Boy are they expensive!! Anyway, the Dr found a strain of worms in her that he has never seen before. He said they have probably been in her for about a month which stressed her body enough so that when my rooster mounted her, it was too much. She couldn't handle the stress and it manifested itself as paralysis. I was given a dewormer, Panacur Susp., and an antibiotic, Zeniquin, for her. I've been giving all of my flock garlic as a dewormer but the Dr said it could be helping the worms to stay healthy too.
She still isn't up yet but she is trying to get up more often now. I'll give her some TLC for the next few days and see how she is.
I also learned that a chicken can be sick for quite some time before it shows. They are very good at hiding the state of their health. Twice now I've had a chicken stop eating the pecans I give them as a treat. Shortly thereafter, that chicken got sick. I'll be paying closer attention to this from now on.

 

[tammye]

sometimes leg paralysis can be caused from a vitamin deficiency, worth a try to give her either chicken vitamin solution in her water , at least electrolyte solution in her water. keep her separated from the others until she can walk, they will peck at her if she seems different, if you have some vitamin B complex pills that you can pull apart you can sprinkle the vitamin powder on a favorite treat , if her problem is due to vitamin def. it ill take about two weeks for her to walk again, warm baths are good, just keeep her in a warm area until she is dry. I ahve had a hen suddenly become unable to walk, this is what I learned here to do and it worked, she has been fine now for almost a year. good luck. now I give my hens some vit. powder in their food once a month and electrplyte soltion in their water once a week .

 

[Kelly's Chickens]

A little after six this evening I picked my hen up to put her to bed and she started convulsing and acting like she was chocking. I tried to calm her down and get her to drink some water but she wouldn't do either. She died in my husband's arms a few minutes later. She is now buried in the backyard.

 

[Miss Lydia]

so sorry for your loss Kelly, sometimes we do all we can and it just isn't enough.. we've all been there..

 

[Kelly's Chickens]

Thank you, Miss Lydia, for your encouraging words!

 

[chickerdoodle]

Oh, I am so sorry for your loss. You did the best you could for her.