Pinched Nerve

[reese967]

My farm vet told me my hen has a pinched nerve up near hip area. My hen couldn’t stand and was trying to push herself around on coop floor. I removed her into her own coop (added rubber floor mats so it’s not slippery) in my house. It’s been a week and no change. I have given her turmeric for swelling, Probiotics, and electrolytes. She’s eating and drinking I make sure if that by hand feeding her because I’m not sure how much she gets in coop. I’m at a loss I don’t know what to do. I feel horrible she’s by herself.

 

[Razzlefrazzle]

How old is she? Did the vet have any idea what caused the pinched nerve and how sure are they that that is the root problem? Injury is obviously one possibility, but internal masses (eggs, tumors, etc) can also pinch the leg nerves. Are you sure there isn't some other neurological problem from a disease or vitamin deficiency?

If you feel like she is lonely by herself you could keep her in a crate inside the coop so she can see her flock, but no one can peck on her. It might also help limit her movement so she can heal if she just has an injury. You can keep a little dish of food and water near her head so she doesn't have to move to eat (though from personal experience it takes a bit of trial and error to find a set up where the won't tip everything over and make a mess).

 

[reese967]

She is 3 mos old. She is one of 8 and not deficient. He is not an avian vet he’s our farm vet (cattle, pigs…)it was his best guess based on his inspection of her. They are separated from other chickens, in a secure area, no injuries that can be seen. She made it up the ramp night before so it happened in the coop from 8pm to morning. Only guessing fell off roost or nesting box. I haven’t seen any aggressions from any of the. They’re all very docile from what I see. We have her in her own coop in my basement right beside two other brooders so she can hear them, she has food and water in her coop. I take her out a few times a day and make sure she eats & drinks. I let her smell and see the other chicks.

 

[Shadrach]

I've never had a paralyzed chick but I have had two paralyzed hens and one with some type of wry neck that only affected her when she tried to roost or rest. They all recovered but it took a while.
I made the paralyzed hens walk every day. I would hold them up and move their feet one at a time taking steps. I flapped their wings and made them scratch the ground.
The point of the above is it ain't over until the fat lady sings and you are the person that decides when that is.
Vitamin E is almost always suggested. I'm never quite sure why. Better nutrition than normal made more sense to me. I gave both. Massage helped. Not so easy with a chick but possible if you're prepared to take the time.

The story of one of the hens is here should you wish to read it. It may give you some hope.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/shadrachs-stories.1263724/post-20314661

 

[Geena]

My farm vet told me my hen has a pinched nerve up near hip area. My hen couldn’t stand and was trying to push herself around on coop floor. I removed her into her own coop (added rubber floor mats so it’s not slippery) in my house. It’s been a week and no change. I have given her turmeric for swelling, Probiotics, and electrolytes. She’s eating and drinking I make sure if that by hand feeding her because I’m not sure how much she gets in coop. I’m at a loss I don’t know what to do. I feel horrible she’s by herself.

Is she keeping one leg pointing forward and the other backward?
Could potentially be Marek's.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

She is 3 mos old. She is one of 8 and not deficient. He is not an avian vet he’s our farm vet (cattle, pigs…)it was his best guess based on his inspection of her.

Did he discuss Marek's with you as a possibility at all?

Was she vaccinated against it?

As stated by the first poster.. tumors on the nerve caused by Marek's is one of the main things seen by folks here EVERY year. Not every bird will show the symptoms.

Here is a pretty good write up on the subject..

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq.66077/

Sorry you face this!

 

[reese967]

I've never had a paralyzed chick but I have had two paralyzed hens and one with some type of wry neck that only affected her when she tried to roost or rest. They all recovered but it took a while.
I made the paralyzed hens walk every day. I would hold them up and move their feet one at a time taking steps. I flapped their wings and made them scratch the ground.
The point of the above is it ain't over until the fat lady sings and you are the person that decides when that is.
Vitamin E is almost always suggested. I'm never quite sure why. Better nutrition than normal made more sense to me. I gave both. Massage helped. Not so easy with a chick but possible if you're prepared to take the time.

The story of one of the hens is here should you wish to read it. It may give you some hope.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/shadrachs-stories.1263724/post-20314661

Oh I’m not giving up. She flaps her wings, moves the one leg and wiggles all over when she gets irritated. I’m moving her legs, massaging her and I’ve been giving her some herbs. Today she had a soak in epson salts and got to dry by the wood stove while getting PT without knowing. I believe tonight she showed a positive sign, she moved that bad leg when I massaged an area before she wouldn’t have twitched. Thank you for the info. Everything is appreciated.

 

[reese967]

Is she keeping one leg pointing forward and the other backward?
Could potentially be Marek's.

 

[reese967]

No she holds her one leg normal, the other one if she lays on her side and it goes out towards the side but a bit back, other times she lays differently and it’s towards the back. Holding her up in the air both go down straight. On her back both go out straight. She’s eating like a piggy and drinking plenty of water. She’s alert, watches the other chicks and chirps. Definitely gets an attitude when she’s ready to rest.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I think I would try vitamin therapy to see if it makes any difference.
Give her 1/4 tablet B-Complex daily along with 400IU Vitamin E. A treat of egg or tuna will help with the uptake of E.

See that she's eating a nutritionally balance chick starter or all flock feed.

Neural form of Marek's disease also comes to mind.