Very Concerned Pullet Losing Mobility

[Ritakprkns]

I posted before as we thought our 9 week Polish pullet had an injured leg, possibly from being stepped on.
We separated her from the rest to give her time to regain her strength in her leg. She seemed to be improving a bit as she would take a few steps and then sit. She eats and is drinking but she seems to be losing the ability to walk. She will step backwards but is struggling. Her legs are not always under in a sitting position. Rather, the legs are spread out. As if she has no strength.
We are very concerned she may not regain her ability to walk.
Are there neurological problems that this breed can have that may affect them this way?
She eats grower/starter crumble. We gave her some nutra drench as my husband noticed that her crop is not very full. Maybe she’s not eating enough. Can’t get her to eat scrambled egg.
Please send me any information you may have. We don’t want to lose her. I’m scared.

 

[SilverBirds]

Unfortunately it sounds like she has the symptoms to Marek's Disease. I would read or at least skim the article 'The Great Big Giant Marek's Disease FAQ'.

 

[addylanich]

For her joints you can give her Cosequin for cats. It has to be for cats though. ( I'm not sure why but the person that told me emphasized it very strongly to me.) Just sprinkle a capsule on her food when you can get her to eat. Nutri drench is really good. If you give it to her in large doses she can basically live on it for a bit. I've force fed mine with a syringe. Some chickens really like yogurt, that can be good for her crop. If her legs are splayed you can splint them together with self adhesive athletic tape. Other than that my only advice is to take her to the vet.
I hope she gets better.

 

[Ritakprkns]

Unfortunately it sounds like she has the symptoms to Marek's Disease. I would read or at least skim the article 'The Great Big Giant Marek's Disease FAQ'.

That is something we are concerned about. All the chicks were vaccinated for marek’s. We’ve been doing some reading about it but we will definitely read the article. Thank you.

 

[nuthatched]

That is something we are concerned about. All the chicks were vaccinated for marek’s. We’ve been doing some reading about it but we will definitely read the article. Thank you.

It doesn't prevent mareks, just keeps the tumors *usually* from growing.
How many times have you given her vitamins?

 

[Ritakprkns]

For her joints you can give her Cosequin for cats. It has to be for cats though. ( I'm not sure why but the person that told me emphasized it very strongly to me.) Just sprinkle a capsule on her food when you can get her to eat. Nutri drench is really good. If you give it to her in large doses she can basically live on it for a bit. I've force fed mine with a syringe. Some chickens really like yogurt, that can be good for her crop. If her legs are splayed you can splint them together with self adhesive athletic tape. Other than that my only advice is to take her to the vet.
I hope she gets better.

Thank you for all of your recommendations! So greatly appreciated as we want to do everything we can for her.

 

[Ritakprkns]

It doesn't prevent mareks, just keeps the tumors *usually* from growing.
How many times have you given her vitamins?

Last couple of days. This evening she had the nitro drench with egg yolk.

 

[nuthatched]

Last couple of days. This evening she had the nitro drench with egg yolk.

It takes weeks of high doses of vitamins to cure vitamin deficiency, a few days of nutri drench won't help much.
Give her 400 i.u vitamin E and a sliver of b complex every day for a few weeks. :]