Silkie chicken paralysed

[ryzza]

Hi everyone,

I have a buff silkie chicken. She is around 9-12 months old and she has previously been laying eggs.

In the past 48 hours, I've noticed that she sits all day and is unable to walk correctly.

On closer examination, the toes on her left foot are curled in and she appears unable to apply full weight to it.

Prior, she has been completely healthy, with no other issues that I am aware of.

I would be grateful if anyone has any ideas about what the problem is and how to fix it.

Please click this link to watch the video.

I have attached a picture of her feet below.

Kind regards,
Ryan

 

[azygous]

Unable to view your video on Google. If you post the video to You Tube, this site has an interface and will embed it here if you copy and paste the URL from YouTube.

Your Silkie may have a simple vitamin B deficiency or is becoming symptomatic with an avian virus such as Marek's or the leucosis virus.

 

[Eggcessive]

Welcome to BYC, and sorry about your silkie. Her symptoms could be from Mareks disease, a possible vitamin deficiency, or an injury. Do you know if she was vaccinated? Have you added any new birds recently? Do you have a rooster? I would start some human vitamin E 400 IU soft gels and B complex 1/2 tablet given orally or in food daily. A chickens sling might be helpful. Can she reach food and water?

 

[Eggcessive]

Click on “Here is a short video,“ Carol. I think that works.

 

[ryzza]

Hi guys,

She has never been vaccinated.

I have however bought several loads of eggs from local breeders.

I have 5 mothers each with 4-5 chicks ranging from a week to 3 months old. Is it possible she caught a virus from them?

other than that, I'm not aware of anyone else with chickens locally.

I do have a rooster around 12 months old.

I have around 35 chickens and every other chicken is fit and healthy 'touch wood.

One thing I have always found unusual is that she never grew up to be a full-sized bird. She is around 25% smaller than all the other girls. Not sure if that suggests anything but I just thought I would mention it.

 

[azygous]

Using hatching eggs can indeed introduce lymphoid leucosis into your flock as it's passed from an infected hen to the eggs she lays. The embryo will then carry the virus, and most of these will not survive a year. We can't know for sure this is why your hen has this problem, though.

One way I find rather easy to see if the lameness is caused by a vitamin deficiency is to treat for it. This will either confirm or rule out vitamin deficiency if the chicken improves. If the chicken doesn't improve but gets worse, then there is a strong reason to suspect the virus.

 

[Eggcessive]

I would try the vitamins and give some time. If you lose her or decide to cull her, sending her body to your state vet for a necropsy and testing. Have you ever had any bird become lame or die of an unknown cause?

 

[ryzza]

Follow Up: In case anyone was wondering, or finds this post in the future. I would like to share the outcome.

I took the hen to the vet and after reviewing her, there were no obvious injuries.

I separated the hen into her own enclosure and gave her fresh water and food daily. In addition to her regular food, I also gave her baby chicken food to make it easier.

After several days, she appears to be fine again. I have no idea what caused her leg to have issues in the first place and can only surmise that something bit her or she injured it (she is free-range).

She is ok now and back with the rest of the flock as though nothing ever happened.

Thank you to everyone that replied and tried to help.

 

[Eggcessive]

That is wonderful news. Did you end up treating with the B complex vitamins or not? I hope that she continues to do well.

 

[ryzza]

That is wonderful news. Did you end up treating with the B complex vitamins or not? I hope that she continues to do well.

Hi, the vet said it was unnecessary in my situation because she has access to good-quality food and free-range access to the yard. The vitamins may be beneficial when the animal is kept isolated in a small cage with no access to grass, worms etc.