Sick hen with odd symptoms. Help!

[BLRanch]

One of my Olive Egger hens seems to have had a stroke or something neurological. She is almost a year old. Please offer any advice!

I noticed her with her wing hanging 3 weeks ago. I wrapped it, thinking she sprained it. A week later she began limping and is really off balance. She has to flap her one wing to keep from falling over (she still can't pick up the other). She limps and is all hunched up.

I moved her into my house at this point and gave her all the treatment I could think of. Asprin for 4 days, vitamins and electrolytes, baths, dewormer, and tasty treats. She has perked up a little but it's been 3 week and there is no improvement to her mobility. She hasn't laid but is eating and drinking. She moves around a bit but mostly lays there.

If you have any idea of what's going on, please help me. I don't want to cull her if this can improve but I can't have a house chicken for forever!

 

[MandS]

Hi.

I have never had a chicken with Mareks, so I am not best to comment on this, but I had one who had a balance issue and I researched causes. This was the reason I came across the most. However mine wasn't. She had injured herself somehow and so it took time for her to get back her balance. Now, 18 months later, she is completely normal.

Another thing my vet mentioned at the time was an ear infection or ear mite. Again, I don't know how accurate this information is but I offer it as something to add to the mix.

My hen who hurt herself, had no visible signs of injury but did exactly what you say your girl is doing - not being able to stand, using her wing for support and generally sitting down and looking miserable. Time worked for us.

Whatever it is, and hopefully others will contribute who have better experience/knowledge than me, I do wish her well and hope that she does make a full recovery.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

One of my Olive Egger hens seems to have had a stroke or something neurological. She is almost a year old. Please offer any advice!

I noticed her with her wing hanging 3 weeks ago. I wrapped it, thinking she sprained it. A week later she began limping and is really off balance. She has to flap her one wing to keep from falling over (she still can't pick up the other). She limps and is all hunched up.

I moved her into my house at this point and gave her all the treatment I could think of. Asprin for 4 days, vitamins and electrolytes, baths, dewormer, and tasty treats. She has perked up a little but it's been 3 week and there is no improvement to her mobility. She hasn't laid but is eating and drinking. She moves around a bit but mostly lays there.

If you have any idea of what's going on, please help me. I don't want to cull her if this can improve but I can't have a house chicken for forever!

Can you post some photos of her?
A video of her actions may be helpful as well. Upload videos to youtube, provide a link.

Have you added any new birds recently?

Sadly the symptoms you describe do sound like Marek's.
Was she laying regularly before she became ill? Do you notice if she has any swelling or bloat in the abdomen?

You can try B-Complex, 1/2 tablet daily for a week to see if that helps. Some people make a sling to place their chicken in to help keep them upright and cleaner.
If it's Marek's, then it's possible she might recover. It's a shot in the dark, but she will need supportive care to see whether she does or not.
There is no right/wrong way. A sick bird takes a lot of time and commitment, so if she is not getting better, then putting her out of her misery may be the right thing to do.
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq

 

[BLRanch]

Hi.

I have never had a chicken with Mareks, so I am not best to comment on this, but I had one who had a balance issue and I researched causes. This was the reason I came across the most. However mine wasn't. She had injured herself somehow and so it took time for her to get back her balance. Now, 18 months later, she is completely normal.

Another thing my vet mentioned at the time was an ear infection or ear mite. Again, I don't know how accurate this information is but I offer it as something to add to the mix.

My hen who hurt herself, had no visible signs of injury but did exactly what you say your girl is doing - not being able to stand, using her wing for support and generally sitting down and looking miserable. Time worked for us.

Whatever it is, and hopefully others will contribute who have better experience/knowledge than me, I do wish her well and hope that she does make a full recovery.

This is very helpful. Thank you. Part of the reason I am needing help is that I haven't found a vet who knows anything about chickens. Ours basically told me good luck and recommended a necropsy once she dies. Which I will have to send the bird away for and it will cost more than my whole flock.

 

[BLRanch]

Can you post some photos of her?
A video of her actions may be helpful as well. Upload videos to youtube, provide a link.

Have you added any new birds recently?

Sadly the symptoms you describe do sound like Marek's.
Was she laying regularly before she became ill? Do you notice if she has any swelling or bloat in the abdomen?

You can try B-Complex, 1/2 tablet daily for a week to see if that helps. Some people make a sling to place their chicken in to help keep them upright and cleaner.
If it's Marek's, then it's possible she might recover. It's a shot in the dark, but she will need supportive care to see whether she does or not.
There is no right/wrong way. A sick bird takes a lot of time and commitment, so if she is not getting better, then putting her out of her misery may be the right thing to do.
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq


View attachment 1738962

Thank you! I have tried to look up information on Mareks but I was not sure about it because it says its young chicks that usually get it. I also haven't found any information on rehab for it.

I have added birds into my Coop but months ago. She was laying pretty much everyday before I noticed her wing dropped. When I brought her in I have her a bath and checked her all over. I felt her abdomen because I thought she might be egg bound (because she is hunched over and uncomfortable). I didn't see anything alarming or feel anything that I would tell was wrong.

This is my first time dealing with a sick/ off chicken. I haven't found anything that's obvious aside from her crippledness.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I felt her abdomen because I thought she might be egg bound (because she is hunched over and uncomfortable). I didn't see anything alarming or feel anything that I would tell was wrong.

She is hunched up? Did you feel inside her vent for any obstruction, mass or egg or just the outside underneath her?
If you have photos of her that might be helpful - along with her poop too.

Marek's can strike chickens at any age, but it is usually seen in younger birds.
There really is no "rehab" for Marek's - supportive care (good food, b-vitamins, sunshine, the least amount of stress a possible, sling and working the legs) sometimes helps.
Those that have Marek's in their flock say some birds recover fairly quickly while others can take weeks to months for improvement - this is why it's so frustrating.

Is she eating/drinking on her own?

 

[Eggcessive]

Sorry about your hen. Here are some articles to read about Mareks disease:
https://extension.umd.edu//sites/extension.umd.edu/files/_docs/programs/poultry/FS-1007 Recognizing and Preventing Mareks Disease in Small Flocks.pdf

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq.66077/

 

[BLRanch]

Thank you! I have tried to look up information on Mareks but I was not sure about it because it says its young chicks that usually get it. I also haven't found any information on rehab for it.

I have added birds into my Coop but months ago. She was laying pretty much everyday before I noticed her wing dropped. When I brought her in I have her a bath and checked her all over. I felt her abdomen because I thought she might be egg bound (because she is hunched over and uncomfortable). I didn't see anything alarming or feel anything that I would tell was wrong.

This is my first time dealing with a sick/ off chicken. I haven't found anything that's obvious aside from her crippledness.

I managed to get a video. Dont mind my child in the back!

This is really all she does and she moves very little in a day.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Poor girl.
I would say that she is likely suffering from Marek's.
You can try vitamin B therapy to see if there's any improvement. For her I would give 1/2 tablet B-Complex daily for 5 days.

 

[Helloworld]

Egg bound will cause off balance problems and cause overuse of wing to support. Now it looks like leg is stepping in to help. Have you tried calcium? In your case, I would forgo free fed and buy calcium tablets, desolve and put in her water. Smallest dose in pill. Really feel between pelvic bone for egg(s). Extra calcium in water will actually go to bounded egg and make it softer, start dissolving it so they can pass. You can also feed charcoal to her .. pharmacy carries.