Something off with my Buff girl

[2buffchicks]

I noticed today that she is leaning to one side & her neck is kinked to the opposite side & her attitude is just off. She usually wont let me get her, she runs all around the coop avoiding me from picking her up & today she just went to the corner of the coop to avoid me. ~~Any thoughts?? I thought maybe she got injured somehow but didn't seem in pain when I picked her up..

 

[Eggcessive]

She may have wry neck, a neurological symptom of head or neck injury, heredity, disease, or itamin deficiency. Keep her calm and quiet, make sure she is eating and drinking, or help her. Put her on vitamins, especially B1 thiamine, E, and selenium. Prednisone may be used in severe cases. It can take weeks to cure. Keep posting in case this is not her problem. Did she have a Mareks vaccine?

 

[2buffchicks]

Thanks so much for the reply. Unless she got vaccinated before I picked her up from the hatchery, no she hasn't.

 

[2buffchicks]

My poor girl has gotten so much more worse. At first the supplements were working (her comb was looking a bit brighter), then she started laying and then one day she wouldn't come out of the nesting box. I thought maybe broody? but she showed no signs other than not wanting to leave (no puffing up/ growling) She no can't walk. Her legs are not right. She tries so hard to stand up, especially when the others crowd her, but she can't. She has lost so much weight and my heart breaking for her... I'm thinking its neurological
Is there anything I can do to help?? I don't want to give up on her yet.

 

[Eggcessive]

I'm so sorry that she has gotten worse. She may have Mareks disease, but without a blood test or a necropsy, it's hard to know positively. You can keep her as comfortable as you can, keep her near her food and water. In California, a chicken necropsy is free at U.C. Davis, and they will euthanize the chicken for you when the time comes if starts suffering. I would probably do this since you would want to know for sure if Mareks is in the flock, and get only vaccinated chicks in the future.

 

[2buffchicks]

I think so too. I've been looking more into it & her legs are looking identical to those with mareks. I don't live anywhere near UC Davis so that wouldn't be a possibility. Does this mean all my chickens are at risk? Should I cull her asap? I don't want to lose her but don't want to lose them all either. She doesn't look very comfortable- legs shaking a lot. Should I get the mareks vaccine for my chicks, or is it too late?
So many questions- I am just so worried for my girls.

 

[2buffchicks]

UPDATE: we ended up culling my little Rosie. She wasn't eating & lost a lot of weight. Now, 3 weeks later my barred rock is unable to walk. It began late last week with her toe turning outward, followed by unbalanced walking and now she cant walk at all but is still eating & laying. I believe this is Mareks running through my flock. What can I do this late in the game? None have been vaccinated-is there still time to vax younger chicks (2.5month)?? Any way to sterilize coop ? Dont want to lose my last hen who hasnt shown any signs yet