Strange issue with hen

[Scott G in CT]

She's been having issues with her leg for the last 3 years, on and off. Took her to the vet back the first time and couldn't find anything. Was told I should think about putting her down. Got better and was back with the the other 3. Something year 2, took her inside again for about 2 weeks and put her back with little issue. Something this year, but had to keep her in an extra week, and now having issues integrating. She's still not 100%, but it's been almost 5 weeks. The other ones keep beating on her, especially her twin. I left her over night without her twin, but she didn't come out of the coop all day, and her leg seems to be worse. I've treated her with Ivermectin, and keeping her clean. I don't know what else to do. I've tried supervised time, keeping her out of reach but insight, and nothing helps. I know she cant survive solo in my room in a dog crate, but I don't have a good reason to give up. She eats and drinks, just not a lot. She picks through the grass and tries to get bugs with her beak, and even tries to be social with her sisters. It's an overall sad situation that I need to make right. Please help if you've had similar issues and figured it out. Thank you!!

 

[nuthatched]

What are her symptoms exactly?
What was the ivermectin for?
What's her diet?

 

[Shadrach]

She's been having issues with her leg for the last 3 years, on and off.

Was there some incident that gave rise to the limp, a strain, a fall, for examples?
From experience I can write that some muscular/tendon strains can take months to recover so knowing the cause of the initial problem is very helpful.
Another possibility if the problem isn't related to an incident where tendon or muscle damage was the result is she has a back/spine problem, possibly from hatch. Like with humans pressure on the spine can give rise to a whole gamut of symptoms that can be very difficult to diagnose.
Some hens that are overweight can develop nerve problems from internal organs placing pressure on the spine.
None of this is helpful with regard to what one does unless one knows the cause but I write it to show that there are many possible reasons for intermittent limping.
What can be done?
Not much I'm sorry to write, even if one does know the cause. All the hens I've had with limps to full paralysis recovered sufficiently to lead normal lives. The most recent still has one weak leg after almost a year.
There isn't, bar segregation, much one can do about the rest of the groups behavior towards a weak member. For her bully sister some segregated time while the weak hen mixes with the rest of the group may help. Here's a very good article on this problem.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/chicken-bully-chicken-victim-a-two-sided-issue.73923/

Chickens are social creatures and even the lowest ranking chickens would rather be with their flock mates than segregated. Chickens are social eaters and in my experience chickens will eat more when with the rest and less to sometimes nothing when segregated. Segregation stresses chickens who are unwell and in many cases it is better to leave the patient with their group and find ways to encourage them to eat more such as offering treats in rotation when hand feeding making sure that the disadvantaged bird not only gets their share but is seen to be getting their share by the rest of the group.

Try the advice in the article I've linked to and see if that at least helps with the behaviour part of the problem.

 

[Scott G in CT]

Trouble walking. Thought maybe injured when the roost fell. Vet did xrays and negative. Possible issues with crop. Seems to be enlarged and drooping. Plus she seems to lean against things to support her crop. Pale like winter time. Poop is wet and sometimes yellowish. Sometimes looks like pellets. Looks like possible blood oozing from her nostrils. Can’t tell if it's dirt also, but seems like a little blood. Have used MetRX to clean with a qtip. When it started, girgling when drinking or eating. Used the Ivermectin the last 3 years. Worried about leg mites or something else causing the paling. Diet is Kalmback farms organic 17%, Kalmback grain, various soldier larvae, and free ranging. Also was washing every other night with dawn then rinsing with Epsom salt.

 

[Scott G in CT]

Was there some incident that gave rise to the limp, a strain, a fall, for examples?
From experience I can write that some muscular/tendon strains can take months to recover so knowing the cause of the initial problem is very helpful.
Another possibility if the problem isn't related to an incident where tendon or muscle damage was the result is she has a back/spine problem, possibly from hatch. Like with humans pressure on the spine can give rise to a whole gamut of symptoms that can be very difficult to diagnose.
Some hens that are overweight can develop nerve problems from internal organs placing pressure on the spine.
None of this is helpful with regard to what one does unless one knows the cause but I write it to show that there are many possible reasons for intermittent limping.
What can be done?
Not much I'm sorry to write, even if one does know the cause. All the hens I've had with limps to full paralysis recovered sufficiently to lead normal lives. The most recent still has one weak leg after almost a year.
There isn't, bar segregation, much one can do about the rest of the groups behavior towards a weak member. For her bully sister some segregated time while the weak hen mixes with the rest of the group may help. Here's a very good article on this problem.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/chicken-bully-chicken-victim-a-two-sided-issue.73923/

Chickens are social creatures and even the lowest ranking chickens would rather be with their flock mates than segregated. Chickens are social eaters and in my experience chickens will eat more when with the rest and less to sometimes nothing when segregated. Segregation stresses chickens who are unwell and in many cases it is better to leave the patient with their group and find ways to encourage them to eat more such as offering treats in rotation when hand feeding making sure that the disadvantaged bird not only gets their share but is seen to be getting their share by the rest of the group.

Try the advice in the article I've linked to and see if that at least helps with the behaviour part of the problem.

Good article. Problem is that she doesn't have good mobility so she can't fight or get away. She just hides the best she can and takes it. Being away for so long reset everything and she can't defend herself with the change. Not sure if she ever will be able to again if she can't move