silkie hen paralyzed???

[Silkie Sue]

Merry Christmas!!!!

My Silkie hen "Scotty" is now a house chicken because it seems that she has given up walking or standing.

a few weeks ago i noticed that she was limping and it got progressively worse until she was dragging her one leg behind her even when she layed down.
i brought her in so she would not be bothered by her boyfriend "Lucky" ( the one on the right lol)
this is Lucky

she is eating and drinking fine and does not seem to be in any distress
has anyone else had this happen?????

 

[Sportsterjeep]

If you inspected her and found that she has no injuries that caused this, keep her in the house. I had a polish pullet in the house over the summer for similar issues. No injuries at all on her, it didn't present like Marek's or anything else. She was fine one day, stumbling the next, and then the following day laying on the ground not moving. We kept her in the house and it took her almost 2 months to recover. She slowly started using her legs again, then standing and stumbling and finally walking. She went back outside after we found her perched on the side of the tote she was in for the second time. It has been six months and and she is fine and hasn't done it since then. She recieved vitamins and extra special care while she was in the house.
I have a theory on instances like this. Crested breeds with vaulted skulls are more susceptible to head and brain injuries due to the way their skulls are formed. My theory was that she was pecked, grabbed, or bumped in just the right location on her head and that was the cause. I will never know this for sure, and it is just a theory.

 

[Silkie Sue]

thankyou for your reply.
i actually just gave her some vitamins and yes she is also getting special care.
i'm glad your hen recovered and is doing well.
my assessment on Scotty's condition (i am no vet) is that she mite have some spinal damage. it started as a limp, then the right leg dragging and now no control of either leg. i am giving her physical therapy but at this point is not helping.
she seems to be enjoying all the special attention so as long as she is having fun i won't have to think about .....you know

 

[rilly10]

I am so sorry to hear she is not feeling well. I hope she recovers quickly.

I agree about the vitamins. I like Polyvisol in the water and maybe some Red Cell mixed in her food or on some bread. Best luck with her!

 

[Silkie Sue]

i just eyedroppered the polyvisol into her mouth, do you mean the Red Cell horse supplement?

 

[rilly10]

Yes - the horse one. I just put a few drops on bread if they will eat it or mix it into thier food. I have heard it is good for brain-damaged birds, wry neck, and some top breeders even feed it as part of an every day ration. I hope it helps, at least it can not hurt! Please keep us posted on her! Best of luck!

 

[Silkie Sue]

i will get some and try it... thankyou for your help

 

[Miss Lydia]

What is in Red Cell?

 

[Silkie Sue]

isn't it a copper supplement?

 

[Miss Lydia]

How old is Scotty? could she have eaten anything spoiled or moldy, I just read that botulism and Mareks can cause Paralysis in chickens, Please don't take this as the answer but as a possibility.