Walking on hock

[Kiki]

Hi. Normal diet has been growers pellets since 20 July (when three CLBs joined my existing flock). I do feed occasional scraps/mealworms.

What do you consider occasional?

Can you get clear photos of each eye?

 

[Kiki]

Oh thank you. I thought it would remain buried beneath more recent posts

I still haven't gone took but I assume there is more background info there. It would prevent the million questions that are about to come.

 

[Chuckkeeper]

I still haven't gone took but I assume there is more background info there. It would prevent the million questions that are about to come.

I didn't realise people would still see it luckily the only Qs were about age and diet so I'll sit and wait ready to answer any Qs and I'll know for next time! Thanks again

 

[Chuckkeeper]

What do you consider occasional?

Can you get clear photos of each eye?

In the photos of her legs, the top leg is the one with the hock on the floor

 

[Chuckkeeper]

Well, physical injury should always be the first consideration. I always hard to even mention Mareks as a possibility, but it can be a possibility. Usually if a riboflavin deficiency, which normally affects both legs, is treated soon with extra b vitamins, one should see signs of improvement within a few days or a week. Leg bone deformities that some chickens are born with and injuries can sometimes cause a ruptured hock tendon. Since we are not vets we can just make suggestions. If you later would like to test for possble Mareks, some poultry labs will test blood or feather shafts for Mareks. Also if you should lose her, your state poultry vet can look for Mareks. You may want to limit her activity to keep her from jumping up and down since an injury might not have time to heal.

Thank you so much. I'll continue her B2 supplement and leave her in a smaller crate in the main pen (to limit movement and jumping but maintain contact). If she doesn't improve I think her quality of life will be limited.

 

[Eggcessive]

Check out some chicken slings in the thread below. They can help get a chicken upright, keep them cleaner, and in front of food and water for periods through the day. Some chickens do not tolerate them and may try to escape them. You can raise them off the floor or put them touching the floor depending on what is wrong with the chicken.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/versions-of-chick-chairs-please.1166308/

 

[Eggcessive]

If she has Mareks, the others may also test positive, but may not have the symptoms. Mareks is spread through the dust and dander of feathers. Here is some reading about it:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq.66077/

 

[Kiki]

What exactly had you been feeding before this happened?

Have you brought any, new to you, birds home in the last few months?

 

[Chuckkeeper]

What do you consider occasional?

Can you get clear photos of each eye?

Normally both on a Saturday morning and it's about a handful for 8 birds. I'll go now

 

[Chuckkeeper]

It is always best to continue an ongoing thread so we can keep up on what has taken place. Walking on a hock can be from a hock tendon injury, B2 deficiency, or sometimes Mareks disease. Where did the 3 new birds come from in July? Sometimes a person might have Mareks in their flock, and if a chicken is rehomed they might be a carrier for the disease without showing symptoms, even if they are vaccinated.

Hello. Thank you. They came from a private breeder. I've spoken to him recently and shown him pics and he claims he's never seen it in his 10 years of breeding. He was as upset as I am so I like to think the information he has given me is reliable, but I cannot guarantee it. He doesn't vaccinate. I did quarantine them for 3 weeks but I guess that wouldn't help here. The other 7 showing no symptoms.