SICK CHICKEN CANT STAND UP PLEASE HELP.

[BroniandBrady]

We are brand new chicken owners and have only 4 chickens. 3 are doing great and loving their new digs. One has been struggling since the day were got her. we separated her straight away but she can't walk, she is not eating or drinking. She keeps losing her balance and falling over. We are trying everything, I have been hand feeding her and giving her lots of love. A friend told me about this site. I hope someone can help.

 

[Chicka_deee]

I’m glad you came to BYC, we have some people that can probably help, so sorry for your chicki hope it heals into a around little one


@Eggcessive

@Wyorp Rock

 

[Aunt Angus]

I am no expert, but I know that others will need more info before they can offer advice.

How old is the sick chicken?
What do you feed it?
What is your set up like?
What does its poop look like?
Are they vaccinated for Marek's?
Any other symptoms (congestion, sneezing, head shaking, one foot extended forward, hunched over, etc)?

You might try giving it mash (pellet mixed with water) or boiled egg yolk and maybe some vitamins, like Nutri Drench. It needs to be hydrated. You might try using a dropper to put liquid on the side of its beak to see if it will drink. If it's a chick, I can get mine to drink by dipping their beaks in water. Electrolytes are good, too, if you have them.

But the experts will chime in at some point. It's late, though, so they might not respond until morning.

 

[Aunt Angus]

@azygous

 

[BroniandBrady]

How old is the sick chicken? 6 months we picked it out last Sunday
What do you feed it? She has not been eating much as at all since we got her but I have been giving her scrambled eggs and feeding her by hand.
What is your set up like? We have a big gorgeous coop but the others started chasing her and pecking at her so we took her out after one night. She is now in a dog crate with hay at the bottom. Protected at night and bright and sunny during the day we take her out 4/5 times a day on the dirt to try to get her to walk.
What does its poop look like? poop is really soft.
Are they vaccinated for Marek's? They store said vaccinated but we are not sure what for.
Any other symptoms (congestion, sneezing, head shaking, one foot extended forward, hunched over, etc)? YES - she has one foot extended forward.

 

[BroniandBrady]

Thank you so much for responding. Im so new at this and a little heart broken to be honest.

 

[Aunt Angus]

Can you get a pic of her? One foot extended forward can be a sign of Mareks. Keep her separated, for sure.

I know you're worried and upset, but you're doing everything you can. Chickens come down with all sorts of yuckies. Hang in there.

 

[BroniandBrady]

 

[BroniandBrady]

This morning I thought she was dead. I just hand fed her more eggs and tried to get water down. She had energy for the egg but I am having trouble getting water into her.

 

[Eggcessive]

Sorry about your pullet. Have you been giving her vitamins? If not, I would get some Poultry NutriDrench or a similar poultry vitamin. B complex tablets can also be used—1/4 tablet daily, in case of a vitamin deficiency. I would make sure that she can get to food and water. What do her droppings look like? Pics are welcome. Look for any swelling or bruising of her legs. She may have been injured, but Mareks is always in the backs of out minds when one is suddenly lame and not eating. Wet chicken feed, cooked egg, tuna, and bitamins are good. Mareks is diagnosed by a necropsy done by your state vet. But many things can look like Mareks, and I would give her supportive care and be patient, because she may be injured or ill. Insert a finger inside her vent an inch or two to just check for a stuck egg. Check into chicken slings to get her upright:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/versions-of-chick-chairs-please.1166308/

Here is some reading about Mareks disease:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq.66077/