UP-Date, Possible Marek's .....Hen sits different then the other hens

[416bigbore]

I have noticed that one of our four Isa Brown hens who is about 20 months old now has started to sit on her legs differently over the other three hens. She is showing no signs of distress that I can see. She walks fine, eats fine, and does everything normal like the other three, but she started to sit on her legs funny with both feet straight out front of her while being in a raised position.

I tried to research what might be going on with her and I had no luck in finding anything. Is this something I need to be concerned about? This isn't a great picture but this is how she sits whether on the ground eating and or on the dish of fresh Oyster Shells. LOL

 

[humblehillsfarm]

Is she walking any differently? I think if given a wide perch, it's not uncommon for a chicken to sit on their hocks.

 

[Eggcessive]

Can you get a picture or a short video uploaded to YouTube or Vimeo with a link posted her of her on the ground or walking around? If she tends to sit or walk on her hocks, Inwould give her 1/4 tablet daily of human vitamin B complex (not B12) for a possible riboflavin (B2) deficiency. It can be crushed and put into food or a few drops of water. It is good to watch for anything unusual with her gait, in case she has something going on with something neurological or vitamin-related.

 

[humblehillsfarm]

She walks perfectly fine and shows no signs of any issues that I can tell. It's like she likes to sit that way over stand like the other three of her sisters. That's why I had to ask if this was normal or a possible issue starting with her?

It certainly wouldn't hurt to follow Eggcessive's advise to err on the side of caution; extra B vitamins don't hurt anyone. My feelings, based on the info you've provided, still lean toward she's probably fine.

 

[LaFleche]

I can try to get a video of her walking a bit later. She don't walk on her hocks, she walks around normally from what I can tell.

I feed them a variety of fermented grains and add Fertrell Poultry Nutri-Balancer and Brewers Dried Yeast and Knox unflavored Gelatin. I would be very surprised if it was do to a deficiency of some sort in their daily diet. This is on top of all the fresh healthy vegetables they receive daily.

When exactly did she last lay an egg?
Does she lay oversized eggs?
Do you have a rooster that is rough on her?
When did you last deworm her?

In your picture her face does look pale to me.

 

[LaFleche]

When exactly did she last lay an egg?
Does she lay oversized eggs?
Do you have a rooster that is rough on her?
When did you last deworm her?

In your picture her face does look pale to me.

Did you check her and the coop for poultry mites and lice?

 

[416bigbore]

When exactly did she last lay an egg?
Does she lay oversized eggs?
Do you have a rooster that is rough on her?

She lays an egg daily like her sisters and not oversized from the other eggs. I have a new Rooster with the girls, but have not noticed any over aggressive mating between them. Then again, I am not out there 24-7 to watch them.

 

[LaFleche]

No I have not, but I haven't noticed any signs that would point to that being the issue?

The paleness of her face and the sitting on her hocks might be.

 

[humblehillsfarm]

Thanks to everyone, I will pull our new young Rooster and see if over mating is what caused her issue or not?

Ummm, again this is just my personal opinion, but you'd be causing a lot of stress to the rooster if you did that. Where will you put him? In isolation?

I also agree that treating for lice or mites with poultry dust is a good way to err on the side of caution. Just like with vitamins, it doesn't cause any harm, so either the effect is neutral or you'll see some improvement!

 

[humblehillsfarm]

Our rooster will be in with our Drakes and Goats right beside our hens.

Okay, just making sure! I've heard some crazy things on here!

I like to think we have a very happy and healthy mixed flock with only little minor treatable glitches along the way.

I wasn't sure if this was a comment on treatment suggestions or the rooster being part of a mixed flock?