There is something wrong with my 2 mo. old chicken

[juliapotts4]

I came home from work & found her on her side, at first thought she was taking a dust bath, but realized it was because she couldn't stand up. I separated her immediately, gave her a bath, put her in a box & started dipping her beak in water with electrolytes & probiots- later on corid mixed in the water. She drinks really well & eats some, but mostly lays on her side with her legs out the side. her legs move if I touch them & she has started flapping her wings when I pick her up (which are things she couldn't do if she had Marek'?). This is our first flock & it is hard for us to know what is going on. Her (barely there) comb still looks rosy, and there is no blood in her droppings. Any help? If it is Marek's, then I don't want her to have to keep living in pain, but I don't want to put her down if it is something we can cure.

 

[Eggcessive]

Welcome to BYC. She could simply be dehydrated. Give her electroyte and vitamin water as often as you can by dipping her beak, or using a dropper carefully. At her age coccidosis can be a concern, but Mareks signs may also be possible. Signs of coccidiosis are lethargy, weakness or standing puffed up, ruffled feathers, poor appetite, and diarrhea or blood in droppings. Corid (amprollium) in the water is the treatment. Mareks can cause weakness of one or both legs, wings, or the neck, and can cause imbalance forcing them to try to use wings to balance. Mareks has differing symptoms in each chicken it affects. Here is some reading about Mareks which details things that can look like Mareks:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq
https://extension.unh.edu/resources/files/Resource000791_Rep813.pdf

 

[juliapotts4]

UPDATE: She seems to be doing much better... She is standing on both feet & flying around the bathroom. I used colloidal silver (2 tsp. mixed in her water) and that seemed to be her turning point. I don't want to rush her back into the coop, so how long do I wait to put her back/reintroduce her to the flock?

Thanks!

 

[Eggcessive]

If she has totally recovered, I would put her back immediately so that she is part of the pecking order. However, if you notice any runny diarrhea or blood, or any looking lethargic, I would try the Corid.

 

[juliapotts4]

How would you know that they are fully recovered? Just by their droppings & behavior?

 

[Eggcessive]

If she is up standing, walking, and flying around, she sounds like she is normal.

 

[juliapotts4]

Thank you for your help, Eggcesive!

 

[Eggcessive]

You're welcome, and good luck.