Paralyzed?

[RodNTN]

My 2 year old Silkie was completely normal yesterday, eating, drinking, foraging, etc. Last night I had to put them up early, and when I did she just sat down in the coop, she was acting hot.
I put their waterer in the coop and she drank normally.

This morning I put her in the run with our 10 week old chicks, and a cockerel tried to "fight" her she is bigger than him, and she didn't back down. But finally she just stopped fighting and began eating and drinking with the rest of the chickens. I noticed she kept sitting down, but other than that she was completely okay.

I checked on a few minutes ago and she can't even stand up, she tries to walk but falls down. Her comb is still bright, but overall she just looks worn out. She's still drinking.

If anybody might know what this might be, PLEASE, help me! Thanks in advance!

 

[Kiki]

Could she be egg bound?
What does her poop look like?
How does her crop feel?

 

[Eggcessive]

This time of year, dehydration from the heat would be my first thought. Coccidiosis can also cause dehydration, and may happen in older chickens with immunity issues. Of course, Mareks disease comes to mind if there is lameness or imbalance. I would try some vitamins and electrolytes in her water, or give her Gatorade or Pedialyte. Offer some chopped egg. Silkies are easily bullied or kept from water or food, so that might be an issue. She needs to be watched closely, kept cool, and check her droppings for anything unusual.

 

[RodNTN]

Her poop is normal, and I was also very curious about this, no matter how much she eats her crop always feels empty? She was treated for Mareks.

I was going to put some Apple cider vinegar in her water and see if that did any good.

Also, she gobbled up some scraps earlier, and is still drinking. She is sitting in the shade now.

 

[RodNTN]

UPDATE: Sadly, I found "Pickle" my Silkie, dead this morning Could it have been Mareks? She could move her wings and legs, and she was vaccinated for Mareks. Could this be contagious?

I put ACV in their water last night, and this morning one of my Leghorns were acting lethargic She is still walking around though.

I am cleaning out their coop today, and cleaning their waterers/feeders. PLEASE HELP! I don't want the rest of my flock doomed

 

[Eggcessive]

Sorry to hear that she has died. Some chickens can get Mareks even when supposedly vaccinated. However, it may have been something else wrong. You can get a professional necropsy done by your state vet where they can get testing for Mareks, or you could do one yourself at home to look at her internal organs to look for other causes. Coccidiosis can sometimes be seen by swollen or purple intestines, gizzards can be blocked with material, crops can be impacted, and egg yolk peritonitis is sometimes seen. If you do one, it helps to take pictures, and you can post them here for help. Here is some info about getting a necropsy with contact info:
http://www.metzerfarms.com/PoultryLabs.cfm
https://www.heritageacresmarket.com/blogs/misc/necropsy-list
http://www.thepoultrysite.com/articles/704/poultry-necropsy-basics/
https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/livestock-biosecurity/chicken-necropsy-guide

 

[alexa009]

It could of been Mareks disease. I wouldn't think of a silkie getting egg-bound with the size eggs they lay, once they get Mareks there is no way to treat it unless they have the vaccination like my hens do, I'm very sorry to hear she passed away.

 

[Kiki]

AVC is not a cure all....just saying...don't expect it to make a difference in protecting your other birds.