Second chicken...same symptoms. Any ideas?

Hello folks.

I posted pre Christmas about a Barred Rock being un well. It presented with a floppy/weak leg and a listless wing. I presumed it had injured itself even though I could not locate a injury. It become progressively worse and I had to help it on its way 2 days before Christmas

Two weeks ago my Redco started limping. Once again...no obvious injuries. But it seems to be following the same path as the other. It seems un-aware of its foot which makes me think 'neurological'. Sometimes it chooses to put the foot fully open to the ground but it does this funny swinging movement from the hip to actually get the foot down. I imagine it would be a similar movemnt if you were wearing a loose false leg. And other times it leans forward on the stump of the bottom of the leg and does not even seem aware of the foot, which ends up curled up under the stump.

There is no involvement with the wing. She seems ok. Good colour, eating, laying and chatty.
I finally managed to locate a vet who was willing to see her - she agreed no injury and she thought neurological also.
We have tried a week of anti inflammatories with no difference made. To be honest the vet did not have any idea really and I think I was more informed than she was with my reading on the internet.

I was startled as to how light and skinny the chicken was when I picked her up. She is at the end part if the pecking order I know but I always thought they were well fed. I leave food for them and give them two extra feeds a day with treats (blimey they can eat better than me somedays!) They are over due a worming feed...but I am sure it is not that as the other chickens are heavy.

I tried resting her on her own but she was soooo distressed and frantic, When I eventually returned her to the pen the other girls were so damn nasty to her for ages. So I did not do it again. I am isolating her in the mornings and feeding her on her own. She is loving it by the way!

The only odd thing I have noticed with the feeding is that she occasionally leaves a small vomit (I think it is vomit...I have not witnessed it) of green biley type liquid behind in the feeding dish. Is that normal? Also is there anythng that chickens can eat that might make them unwell from the soil? I know about the normal food stuffs and berries.

Sorry for the long winded novel. I am concerned. I really don't want to loose another chicken. I paid quite a lot of money for these lovely ladies and it is up setting to see them suffer. So I am posting a few photos of the leg in the hope that some body may be able to help? You were all so helpful last time...actually you were all really fabulous last time. I have learnt so much from you all.
Have a good day everybody x

 

Hello Realsis,

Thank you so very much for your reply.

I had actually wondered this and I did mention it to the vet when I went and I honestly don't think she knew what I was talking about.

The breeder I got them from did say that they were fully vaccinated. But then apon reading it seems the vaccination is only 90 percent successful anyway.

It is bad news indeed...blimey, my other batch of hens were ex factory resuce chickens and they were never ill and lived a good life with me. Now I have splashed out and got some fancy girls there seems to be nothing but trouble.

I have ordered some vitamin tonic solution and will give that a go. She does not seems to be any worse at the moment. If she does not improve with the tonic and the wormer I guess you will be right.

Just a couple of qestions....obviously I can't add to this group in case the new chucks are not immune. After the last one here has died...how long do you generally have to wait till you can get some more. I read some where that it is air borne and you should wait at least a year...is that right? And lastly - I presume it is ok to still eat the eggs?

Once again...big thank you for your time, help and explanation. x

 

Thank you all so very much for your time and replies. As suggested by Nambroth I contacted the breeder today and asked about vaccination programmes....
He actually got back to me this time - here is what he sent

''
Thank you for your email.

Mareks disease supplement is fed to all chicks within their crumb feeding ration plus the following chick vaccination programme:

Day 1 Mareks injection
IB vaccination
Salmomnellaenterides and typhimurium
Day 5/7 Coccidiosis
Day 20Infectious Bursal disease Gumbro
Day 28 Infectious Bursal disease Gumbro
Week 5 Classical infectious Bronchitus Newcastle disease
Week 6 Salmonella enteritidus & typhimurium
Week 7 Mycoplasma galliseptieum
Week 8 Variant infectious Bronchitus
Week 9 Avian rhinotracheitis
Week 10 Classical infectious Bronchitus Newcastle Disease
Week 11 Variant infectious ronchitus
Week 13 Avian encephalomyelitis
Week 15 Mycroplasma gallise
Week 16 Salmonella enteridiustyphimurium
Week 16 Inactivated Newcastle, Infectious bronchitus, eggdrop syndrome.


So it looks as though they were well tended to and have been vaccinated.

I change their feed every day and they don't have access to organic matter. There has been no signs of mold but it has been excessively wet for weeks here in the UK and there pen is just full of mud really.
I will worm and supplement with vitamins when they arrive,.

So after looking at the vaccination list am I still to think Marek's? Any further thoughts?

BTW - The links on Marek's are great, thank you. Wow, what a horrible disease!

Have a good evening everybody. Jude x

 

Just wanted to say that my Redco passed away yesterday. She died peacefully in her bed.
She had been doing ok - I had made an effort and was feeding her seperately and giving her treats.
She went down hill very fast. Friday, she went off her food and Saturday she died.
I was very startled as to how skinny she was when I got a good look at her.

Pretty sure I have had Mareks in my flock.
I have been so unlucky with loosing 2 out of 6. Quite heart breaking really.
I was so excited in getting chucks again and now this within six months of them arriving.
I certainly won't add to the flock now, that is something I had considered.
What is the general census as to how long I have to wait till the last one dies before I can reintroduce onto their plot?
Can I make a new run elsewhere in the garden and will that be alright?

Also wanted to say a very big thank you to everybody on here who gave me so much support and advice.
I am sincerely thankful to you all xx