Unbalanced walking and not eating

[RyRe2010]

I was given a light brahma pullet 1 week ago. I went out to the coop/run tonight to check on everyone and noticed that she isn't walking well and doesn't seem like she feels well at all. As she walks, she staggers to one side then the other using her wing on that side to balance and push her up. Her crop was completely empty tonight minus a little bit of water. She is about three months old. I picked her up and looked her over, nothing I could see. She has a buff orpington buddy who I got at the same time and she is the same age...the buff seems to know something is wrong. She is laying next to her, rubbing her head all over her neck and under her wing, almost trying to comfort her?
I don't know what is wrong with her. I believe she is dying but I don't know from what. She was eating and walking fine before. Any thoughts/suggestions? I've not had this happen before. Do I need to worry about my other birds?

 

[Quackers3211]

I’m very sorry to hear this. I haven’t had this happen to me either. I’ll ask some of the chicken experts to give you some advice. Hopefully they know what is wrong. Please post a video of her walking so we can see what she looks like when she walks.

 

[rebrascora]

Unfortunately it sounds very much like Marek's disease. She is at a vulnerable age for it. I have just written a lengthy response about it on another thread, so I will link that rather than retype. There is a lot of info out there as regards Marek's disease. Some of it is pretty scary and is enough to make the most rational person panic. The reality is not nearly so bad in my experience. Of course your girl may not have Marek's but it is an incredibly common, widespread and easily contracted disease, so the most likely diagnosis in my opinion.....
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/possible-mareks-disease.1248774/#post-20034794

 

[Wyorp Rock]

isn't walking well and doesn't seem like she feels well at all. As she walks, she staggers to one side then the other using her wing on that side to balance and push her up. Her crop was completely empty tonight minus a little bit of water. She is about three months old.

What are you feeding her?
I would first try to get her hydrated. Have you noticed if she is being kept from food and water by your other chickens? Give electrolytes if you have them for the first 8hrs, then switch to poultry vitamins. Once she is drinking, then see if she will eat some food for you.

It's very possible she has a disease like Marek's and the stress of being in a new place has made her become symptomatic. Since there is no cure for Marek's the best you can do is offer supportive care (vitamins/nutrition).

I would also check her crop to make sure it is emptying overnight, think if she could have gotten into anything toxic or spoiled and consider having a fecal float to check for Coccidiosis overload and worms.

Keep us posted.

 

[Folly's place]

If she does die, please have necropsy done, so you can have good information to go on with. If it is Marek's disease, you need to know it for sure! If it's an injury, fine, nothing contagious. If a toxin, or vitamin deficiency, or whatever, you will know.
Mary

 

[RyRe2010]

After reading all this, other threads, and looking at her symptoms...we put her down last night and cremated her. She had unbalanced walking, if you sat her down she fell to one side, dark purple comb, and anorexia. I know some can recover, but I didn't want to let her suffer further. She looked terrible. I also have one more I'm concerned about...the buff that was with her, just doesn't look right. She just is very slow to react and her eyes are different. Not bright and interested like the rest. She is at least still eating. Her, the other buff, and my 1 yr old EE are the eldest in the run. I'm concerned for all my babies!!
Here she is: Blondie (half open eyes)
And then her next to Goldi. And watching her walk, she doesn't seem to be as accurate and takes more thought.

Also had to share a cute photo of my Ameraucana babies and my mixed cockerel I hatched ^_^. *I realize some do not conform to color standard and are "EE"*.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I also have one more I'm concerned about...the buff that was with her, just doesn't look right. She just is very slow to react and her eyes are different. Not bright and interested like the rest.

I'm sorry for your loss I think you made the right decision.

The other BO with the eye you are concerned about-is it the one in the photo below? You are right, his eye does not look right. If I had to take a guess, that is Ocular form of Marek's, but it would be a good idea to have some testing. Here's a LINK to your state lab.

Your babies are very cute!

 

[RyRe2010]

Also, thank you all for your insight and knowledge!! This has been a learning experience for sure. Just sad :-(

 

[Unexpected chicken lover]

So sorry for your loss

 

[rebrascora]

I think you made the right decision but am sad for your loss. Yes the other one doesn't look quite right, but too early to say with confidence that it is the same issue. This is where getting a necropsy can be beneficial, so that you know for sure what you are dealing with and have a management plan to deal with it.
I'm assuming Blondie is the smaller one in the second photo? She definitely doesn't look quite right in the first picture. I'm guessing Goldie is the cockerel standing next to her. His eye also looks odd and may be worth checking out.... make sure both irises are the same colour and the pupils the same shape and size.