Rhode Island Red Issue

[Jet23]

Hi. I have a Rhode Island Red with what we thought was a "back up" problem. Her name is Paddy. After Paddy's Wigwam at Misquamicut Beach in Rhode Island. She was having trouble walking, like she was drunk, but her tail kept twitching. Two days ago, both of her feet curled up. I isolated her, made sure she was drinking and eating, and last night, I gave her a children's aspirin. Today, one leg is outstretched and one is still curled up. She cannot walk. She barely moves. Anyone have any ideas?

 

[Eggcessive]

Welcome to BYC. This could be a vitamin deficiency, or possibly Mareks disease. I would start her on a vitamin supplement that includes thiamine, vitamin E, riboflavin, and selenium. You can also add the selenium, or give some scrambled egg daily. Place her in a basket with her food and water near enough to reach. Did she get a Mareks vaccine when she was hatched? Mareks is a complicated disease with 4 different types affecting the skin, the eyes, the nerves, and the internal organs, so symptoms can vary with each chicken. Her posture now sounds very much like Mareks, but a riboflavin deficiency can cause curled toe paralysis. Here are some very good articles to read on Mareks disease and vitamin deficiency:
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/#/disease/Marek's_Disease
http://www.merckmanuals.com/vet/pou..._poultry/vitamin_deficiencies_in_poultry.html

 

[Jet23]

Thank you so much! I'm going to get her the supplements right now. I have a message into the breeder to find out if she was vaccinated for Mareks. And thank you for the links to the articles. I am trying to learn everything I can.

 

[Eggcessive]

Mareks disease can be in an environment for as much as 7 years, after there has been an outbreak. That means that the disease could have been on your property, or that it could have been on the breeders' property (but only if that the diseases, of course.) Mareks is very hard to diagnose without testing or a necropsy by the state vet, of a chicken who dies, since there are other illnesses that can look like it. How old is Paddy? The second link above, The Great Big Mareks Faq contains a list of lookalike diseases to rule out. I certainly hope it is only a vitamin deficiency, and I hope she is doing well soon.