Gma Leghorn
Hatching
- Sep 10, 2019
- 4
- 2
- 9
I have two sick hens. My first question regards my mature laying Rhode Island Red hen. Last year I lost a RIR hen to cancer. Her symptom was a balloon like enlarged belly. It became so large she was unable to walk upright. Within three weeks she passed away. I took her to the Agri. Lab and they told me she was full of cancer. Now I have another RIR hen who started with a similar symptom however this has been going on for about two months. She has a great appetite and everything appears normal except this balloon feels like it is about to explode. It is warm, soft and squishy.
My second question is in regard to my now 11-week old pullet. I ordered 24 baby chicks this spring. Everything has been moving along nicely until about 9 days ago when I noticed one of my leghorns was sitting on her hocks and couldn't walk normally. I removed her from the pen and checked her out to see if I could tell something was wrong but I found nothing. She has a normal appetite, eats, drinks, & poops normally. She is able to walk short distances then starts having trouble and uses her wings to help stabilize her. When she is sitting on her hocks, her toes seem to retract or pull-up yet her feet seem fine. Sometimes she actually lays down and stretches her legs out straight and curls up her toes. Is this a disease or neurological disorder? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
My second question is in regard to my now 11-week old pullet. I ordered 24 baby chicks this spring. Everything has been moving along nicely until about 9 days ago when I noticed one of my leghorns was sitting on her hocks and couldn't walk normally. I removed her from the pen and checked her out to see if I could tell something was wrong but I found nothing. She has a normal appetite, eats, drinks, & poops normally. She is able to walk short distances then starts having trouble and uses her wings to help stabilize her. When she is sitting on her hocks, her toes seem to retract or pull-up yet her feet seem fine. Sometimes she actually lays down and stretches her legs out straight and curls up her toes. Is this a disease or neurological disorder? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.