Pullet suddenly weak, stumbling. Vitamin deficiency or is it worse?

[BlueberryOatmeal]

I’ll keep this thread updated! Thank you for your vote of confidence against Marek’s—I’ve been nervous about that in particular.

Update: The last 48 hours have been rapidly downhill for her. She can barely move without having to flap her wings to support herself, and still she falls over after 1 or 2 steps. I’m starting to think it’s Marek’s with how her legs have been approaching the splits. Is there anything I can do for her at this point? I feel so bad for her and I’m at a loss after all the vitamins failed.

 

[Lacy Duckwing]

Update: The last 48 hours have been rapidly downhill for her. She can barely move without having to flap her wings to support herself, and still she falls over after 1 or 2 steps. I’m starting to think it’s Marek’s with how her legs have been approaching the splits. Is there anything I can do for her at this point? I feel so bad for her and I’m at a loss after all the vitamins failed.

If she's getting worse, then stop the vitamins. They might be the wrong treatment or they could be overloading her system. I want to say give her some probiotic Greek yogurt for a couple of days and see if that helps, but I'm not sure.

What are her poops looking like? I'm not a poop expert, but when I dealt with Marek's, I was noticing a difference in their poops.

 

[MapleLaurelFarms]

The mouth breathing in the video... she looks very stressed, either from heat or something else. Poor girl!

I assume not vaccinated? We're in the rebuilding stage after losing nearly our entire flock to Marek's (highly likely via a state necropsy report) this past winter. In my flock, the symptoms looked different from bird to bird depending on how the virus was affecting each bird's body, but based on what I saw in your video, I'd be highly suspicious of Marek's also.

I hope she rallies, but if not and you notice it spreading throughout your flock, I highly recommend a necropsy so you'll know what you're dealing with. The state vet was also amazing at helping us nagivate what we needed to do from here on out with a (likely) positive Marek's diagnosis.

 

[Eggcessive]

I would keep going with the B complex, but sorry that she is getting worse. It does sound like Mareks could be a possibility, but varus or valgus leg bone deformities are common leg problems in chickens. I would want to find out for sure, since Mareks can affect the future with your chickens. Most state vets will do testing along with a necropsy if you lose her. A chicken sling chair would probably be best for her now, for periods throughout the day to make it easier to eat and drink.
Here is a list of state poultry vets who can do necropsies:
https://www.metzerfarms.com/poultry...L5h4Xt137GBu32pWJZSRUY5DYhQyVrd4ODmF-Ab8otocc

To anaswer your earlier question which I am just now seeing, this brand of B complex is common and affordable:
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Spring-V...MI8vb5s43EjQMVQGRHAR0YMxmtEAQYASABEgIIOPD_BwE

 

[MapleLaurelFarms]

Update: The last 48 hours have been rapidly downhill for her. She can barely move without having to flap her wings to support herself, and still she falls over after 1 or 2 steps. I’m starting to think it’s Marek’s with how her legs have been approaching the splits. Is there anything I can do for her at this point? I feel so bad for her and I’m at a loss after all the vitamins failed.

You can try to make her as comfortable as possible. I'd probably try to separate her from the flock so they won't pick on her. You can allow them to still see each other, like in a wire crate. If it's Marek's, your other hens have already been exposed so she can't really give it to them at this point, although lessening exposure (via dander and feathers) may help.

I know that no one likes to hear this, but if you have the heart and knowledge to cull, that can be a merciful way to handle things. My heart goes out to you!

 

[BlueberryOatmeal]

If she's getting worse, then stop the vitamins. They might be the wrong treatment or they could be overloading her system. I want to say give her some probiotic Greek yogurt for a couple of days and see if that helps, but I'm not sure.

What are her poops looking like? I'm not a poop expert, but when I dealt with Marek's, I was noticing a difference in their poops.

Thanks for this response! Her poops look very firm, maybe probiotics would help loosen them up to a more comfortable consistency?

 

[Eggcessive]

She may need to be drinking more water. Chilled coconut oil cut into tiny pieces and offered 1-2 tsp a day would help if she were constipated.

 

[Eggcessive]

Here is a good thread with examples of chicken slings for lame birds, especially posts 5, 11-14, and 31:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/versions-of-chick-chairs-please.1166308/