Pullet can't stand up. plz help

[poseygirl12]

I have a 17 week old pullet that can't stand up. Her legs are not extended. They are just like a normal chickens that is sitting. When I pick her up they do not dangle. She's alert, eating and drinking. I brought her in the house to keep her isolated from the others. I can't find any obvious injuries. I'm hoping it's not marek's. But don't know what to do for her either way. Thanks

 

[Eggcessive]

Welcome to BYC. Hopefully it is not Mareks, but I would start poultry vitamins in the water right away in case it is a riboflavin deficiency. Do the toes curl? Is she sitting on her hocks like this picture with out her toes curling? There are several diseases that can cause sitting on hocks other than Mareks.

 

[poseygirl12]

No, She's not sitting like the picture. she's actually laying with her legs underneath her like they do if they are in the nesting box going to lay an egg. When I pick her up, her legs don't drop, she doesn't kick. If I put my fingers underneath her toes she barely tries to curl them. If it is Mareks, how fast would my other pullets and hens show symptoms. Do I have to cull this one if it is Mareks? thank you for replying.

 

[Eggcessive]

I would put her in a crate with food and water close by (and vitamins) so that she can get nourishment. Then I would do some reading about Mareks. Since all of the chickens are together, you can assume that all have been exposed to whatever. There is no set timeline with Mareks. It is a complicated disease, having 4 types, and your chicken may get only 1 or 2 of the types of symptoms. Some get only the eye problems, and some don't get eye problems. Some get paralysis, and then start forming tumors. Some chickens may remain immune, but will be carriers. I hope it's not Mareks. There is a good ongoing thread for you to post questions and these links:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/741957/not-an-emergency-mareks-in-the-flock
http://extension.unh.edu/resources/files/Resource000791_Rep813.pdf
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq
http://partnersah.vet.cornell.edu/avian-atlas/search/disease/502

 

[poseygirl12]

I do have her in a tote in my house with food and water. I'm about sick to my stomach. I'm hoping and praying it's not Mareks. A few years ago, I started with goats. I unknowingly bought 2 baby goats that had a disease called CL. Before they showed symptoms of it, I had bought 2 more registered kids. They all ended up with CL. I had to cull them all and take very extreme measures to be able to have goats again on our land. I don't want a repeat of that experience again. I am very new to forums. I was trying to figure out how to add a picture of my hen to show you. But I am "technologically challenged". lol I will check out the links you posted. Thank you.

 

[Eggcessive]

In the the first symbol in the 5th box of the reply box is where you insert a picture from your computer pictures. It is not easy for me to do. That is terrible about your luck with the goats, but you aren't alone about the chickens. Many in the thread above had chickens they thought were healthy that turned out to have Mareks. Some choose to keep them until they die, and get only vaccinated chicks in the future. But the chicks need at least 2 weeks to become immune without being exposed to Mareks in the environment. You can read threads to learn what steps to take. That said, I hope that it's just a vitamin deficiency in your feed. Some feeds will lose nutrients while laying on the shelf.

 

[poseygirl12]

I will go to tractor supply and get the vitamins and try that. I love all my girls so much. I thought maybe she was injured from being so low in the pecking order. We just got this one and 3 others 3 weeks ago. I just put them in with my flock 5 days ago. But I can't feel or see any breaks in her legs.

 

[Eggcessive]

I would bring her out to visit with the other chickens to visit each day, just so they remember her. I'm hoping she will start to improve, but please keep us posted on her even if it is in a week or two. We all check on these same threads when they are posted.

 

[poseygirl12]

I'm happy to say she is doing much better today. I gave her vitamin B in her water. I think maybe she was hurt by the others. I called the people I bought her from. They said she did have shots from the hatchery and they've never had a problem with Mareks. She can stand up on her own today. Yesterday, she couldn't get herself up or stand for more than a few seconds. I will take her up to visit with the others so hopefully they don't forget her. That's scary for me too. I don't want her to get reinjured. so I want to keep her acquainted. Thank you for being here for all us chicken addicts. lol. I will continue to give you updates.

 

[qqqq]

i will try that