Vitamin B deficiency: how long to treat?

[thecatumbrella]

I don’t think that I would let someone else rescue her. I would try to keep her or else consider putting her down.

I agree with this. We looked into rehoming briefly, but quickly realized she would just be miserable somewhere else that's scary and unfamiliar. I also don't trust others to provide the same level of care that I would for a disabled bird.

That chicken sling made me tear up a bit. It warms my heart to see how far people are willing to go to help "just a chicken". BYCers are kind people.

 

[Birdfull]

I’m sorry that she is not any better. I would give her supervised visits with her flock a couple of times a day. Can you try to stand her up with a soft belt or sling underneath her and try to walk her around a few steps? Chicken sling chairs are good for disabled chickens to get them up and in front of food and water while they are awake. Then you can let them out to rest on the floor. I still wonder if she could have Mareks disease. Is she on a balanced layer or all flock feed as the majority of her diet? Can she hang out with the flock in the coop or run without being attacked? I don’t think that I would let someone else rescue her. I would try to keep her or else consider putting her down. Here is a good link with pictures of slings in post 5, 11-14:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/versions-of-chick-chairs-please.1166308/
View attachment 4195721

I suppose I could try more visits. It’s pretty stressful for me because they start going after her and she fights back! There’s wings flapping and pecking etc. I don’t want anyone getting hurt. I do have a sling thing (it’s like a chicken purse) which I got at the beginning when I was more fearful of handling her and she flapped a lot in it. Now we are both used to me touching her a lot so threw her in and “walked” her a bit. It was ok. I don’t think a chair would work for my setup. I appreciate your insights. The pictures I’ve seen of Mareks birds don’t look like her. Don’t their legs splay in opposite directions, typically? Hers don’t. I almost lost it when I thought another was going lame. I have a camera in the coop and she was sleeping on the floor and that’s how it started with this one. I don’t have the physical space to accommodate another disabled bird. I was up all night worrying about that. Thank goodness she was fine! So my other birds are healthy. So maybe not a virus?? Oh they are all on a balanced layer feed. They get oyster shells and occasional calcium supplement in water. I plan to give the others b complex in oatmeal once a week. She is still getting b complex daily.

 

[Eggcessive]

Your balanced feed should have some B vitamins. B’s don’t remain in their bodies long, and the kidneys filter them out within a day. What I usually use is a wire dog crate or cage/pen with food and water set in the coop or run where they can see the other chickens without being pecked or hurt. If they are picking on her, it may be too work much having more visits. We really never know what causes lameness, but just guess. Necropsies by state vets after death could shine a light. Some do at home testing for Mareks through a lab which is done with a trimmed toenail and collecting blood, and send it back to the lab. It sounds like you are doing all you can do. Here is the link for Mareks testing if interested:
https://www.vetdna.com/

 

[Birdfull]

Your balanced feed should have some B vitamins. B’s don’t remain in their bodies long, and the kidneys filter them out within a day. What I usually use is a wire dog crate or cage/pen with food and water set in the coop or run where they can see the other chickens without being pecked or hurt. If they are picking on her, it may be too work much having more visits. We really never know what causes lameness, but just guess. Necropsies by state vets after death could shine a light. Some do at home testing for Mareks through a lab which is done with a trimmed toenail and collecting blood, and send it back to the lab. It sounds like you are doing all you can do. Here is the link for Mareks testing if interested:
https://www.vetdna.com/

Any brands you recommend for layer feed? Thanks

 

[Birdfull]

Any brands you recommend for layer feed? Thanks

Yes she is in the smaller run with them in a wire crate….they see each other quite a bit although the others have access to a larger space where she doesn’t go (the crate is homemade with wood and difficult/heavy to move). But she sees them a lot

 

[Eggcessive]

Most major brands of a crumble or pellet feed are good. I have used Purina, Nutrena, Kalmbach, mostly. All flock for chicks and mixed flocks, and layer for hens. I also provide crushed oyster shell in a separate container.