Over the weekend I had two hens out of my oldest coop that suddenly couldn't walk or stand....within 2 days of each other. They were alert, but acted partially paralyzed. My guess was possible neurotoxin from a few moldy pellets at the bottom of the feeder.
One that was down Friday on seemed to improve overnight, but by then the second was down. I made up a solution of 1 cc liquid fortified B complex, 1 tsp Karo syrup, 1/2 c water and syringed it down their throats. Actually, I ended up offering the cup and they both willingly dipped their beaks and drank. I suspect the bright yellow from the B complex made it attractive. Other than that, the stronger one stayed in the coop and slowly made her way around to eat, but mostly sits all day....she is slowly improving. I continue to dose her with B complex water for now. Her comb is brighter and she does walk, albeit slowly.
The weaker of the two I segregated into a large dog kennel filled with straw and gave her two small bowls, one with the vitamin water and the other with a mix of bird seed, sunflower seeds and lay pellets. She has been also steadily improving, in fact, she has laid an egg yesterday and today. Not bad, considering that on Saturday she could only prop herself up with one wing periodically. She now stands up and walks a bit, but I notice that her feet are still not as strong as normal.
I chose to dose with B complex because it supports nerve health and I suspected the paralysis was from mold, rather than a disease. There are no respiratory symptoms, just the weakness. I hope this helps you. I bought my B Complex online from a livestock supply store, but I think that on the mainland you can find it more easily than I did. Don't worry about overdosing, B vitamins are water soluble and whatever isn't needed just evacuates with normal waste.
