Unbalanced. Wobbly. Weak. Neurological problems. Can't walk.

[valsey]

A lot of folks have been posting that their hen is unsteady or having trouble walking. No symptoms except unsteady (although mine had a bad case of mites or lice, but I believe this was opportunistic parasites), otherwise fine - living a long time this way and not laying.I had the same problem and after the hen died, I took her to the lab and got a necropsy done. Thought I'd start a post so all could see the results - I believe our wobbly hens might have Lymphoid Leukosis.


Necropsy
RESULTS:
Final Diagnosis: Lymphoid leukosis.

Final Comments: Lymphoid leukosis is a common tumour of older chickens. As the tumours progress, the bird is increasingly unable to metabolize nutrients in the feed resulting in an energy deficiency, which presents as immobility and wasting away. Other chickens may succumb to the same disease, but it is not transmissable in the general sense. This is a virus that may exist for their entire life before becoming active and developing tumours.

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see http://forum.backyardpoultry.com/viewtopic.php?t=1319

 

[tnchickenut]

I'm sorry about your bird(s) - but THANK YOU for sharing... I get really tired of people always blaming Mereks when a bird can't walk when that is a symptom of a number of issues.

Thanks!

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

I'm sorry about your bird. Thanks for sharing this with us. I learned something new today.

 

[valsey]

Sure thing!

There are SOOOOOOO many posts about weak legs on this forum!

Could be any number of things, but LL is pretty darn common.

 

[tnchickenut]

I just had Aspergillosis - very simular symptoms. If I had posted the symptoms on here everyone would swear it was Mereks. It's not. To beat all, it is completely avoidable if you are aware of it and take precautions to avoid it. Total blame on the human.

 

[mspanier]

Tnchickenut,

It would be very helpful if you could elaberate on what to, initially look for and what to do at the earliest signs and so on. I have a hen that went from fine to lethatgic to unable to stand at all. Now is being hand fed and on Doxy.

 

[tnchickenut]

Tnchickenut,

It would be very helpful if you could elaberate on what to, initially look for and what to do at the earliest signs and so on. I have a hen that went from fine to lethatgic to unable to stand at all. Now is being hand fed and on Doxy.

Starts off as weak and trying to get around... often looking like a drunk trying to walk. Then as it progresses you get neck twists and movement simular to a person with MS or Palsy. This makes feeding and drinking very difficult because they can't aim for their food and water. They can be seen pecking right next to the bowl/dish/feeder.

This leads to death. Between the starving and the growing mold in their body it can be as fast as a day or so, or can take a week or more from the first stage on.

The only treatment that is not guarenteed to work, mind you, is anti-fungal meds.

To learn more: http://www.thepoultrysite.com/diseaseinfo/7/aspergillosis


On a personal note, I stopped using straw at all anywhere near or around my coops and haven't had a issue since - something like three years. In the winter, when the rain brings mud and the grass does't grow, I put down pallets for the birds to walk on the raises them up and out of the waterery ground. Any feed that gets wet at all gets thrown out. I even thrown out a bag I just opened because the rain came in sideways and ruined it.

Seeing as what time of year it is for you... Aspergilliosis is a def. possibility. The wet mixed with the warmth is perfect for fungus.

 

[mysteryp]

I agree, there is no cases of mareks in my area but ppl keep saying mareks and my hen has some symptoms yet she is laying eggs and her legs don'y splay out she can stand up just cannot walk. I have kept her going for a month but its time. Vet says he can only do necropsy to find out why. My heart is severely broken as she is my fav baby girl blue naked neck. Only enjoyed her for 7 months. Still trying to figure out a way cull her and its making me sick. I haven't done that before.

 

[bullets]

Thank you for shedding light on the sudden influx of reports of chickens who are displaying Marek's like symptoms. I think we should all look at the different possibilities before settling on just one. I do find it troublesome though that each time someone mentions they suspect their bird has Marek's many people jump on board to discredit the owners thoughts on the Marek's. Saying, "well it's probably something else, here's a list of issues that mimic Marek's."

Marek's is a real disease that's actually out there is people's flocks. The problem arises when the owner does not do a necropsy to find out exactly what was affecting their chickens.

I do think threads become very educational, though, when everyone brainstorms in on the issues, but I think that almost immediately shooting down the possibility of Marek's can also be very damaging to a discussion.

 

[txcowgirl51]

My hen is very wobbly and can't walk. I am hand feeding her. I'm thinking she can't see because she doesn't know where her food is and she just lowers her beak and stabs at her food. Any ideas on what's wrong with her. She's been like this for a month. Hate to put her down. Not laying. Her feet are curled in. But she is able to roost at night.