We know broody hens. How about a nanny hen?

[azygous]

Could she have had an encounter with a rooster?

The boys have been spending their time outside the run or inside their enclosure in a corner of the run to keep things peaceful while we're all snowbound. These boys are finishing molt and their sex drives are at a very low ebb, anyway.

 

[LaFleche]

When did you last deworm them? Tape worms for example or capillaria could lead to the symptoms you describe. It does not always have to be the big M.

 

[aart]

When did you last deworm them? Tape worms for example or capillaria could lead to the symptoms you describe.

Curious what you recommend for worming @LaFleche ,
considering you're all organic(maybe I've mis-inferred on that).

 

[ValerieJ]

Bad news. One of the three pullets has suddenly become lame. Curled toes on the right leg, loss of appetite, and cannot stand for long and can't walk. Very sudden onset of symptoms. Pullet was fine yesterday. Exact same symptoms as the pullet that I had to euthanize two months ago. No respiratory symptoms, but I started her on amoxicillin just to see what happens.

I have Su-su, now acting in the role of nurse hen, in the crate with the pullet to try to encourage her to eat. So far, Su-su has eaten most of the cooked egg I put in the crate.

I have zero idea of what's going on. None of the other 22 chickens has any such symptoms. Flying blind here. If this progresses as it did with the other pullet, it will be progressive and end up with the same total body paralysis as the other one. @casportpony can you take a look at this thread and give me an opinion?

That is just so sad. I'm sorry to hear it.

 

[azygous]

My flock has never had worms. Fecal float tests have confirmed this.

This pullet is five months old and has not spent any significant time free ranging. Her poop is as classically normal as one would want to see. Like opening a See's candy box full of perfect candies, perfectly round, firm, with the nice little white urate dollop on top. No mucous, no diarrhea.

She was fine yesterday. This morning, she suddenly could not walk. The flock hasn't been out lately due to deep snow. Same diet, fermented feed with dried oregano leaves mixed in.

There has never been any sign of Marek's in my flock, but it sure is tempting to consider it.

 

[LaFleche]

Curious what you recommend for worming @LaFleche ,
considering you're all organic(maybe I've mis-inferred on that).

Flubenole 5% is what I use and it is allowed for organic lifestock husbandry.

 

[LaFleche]

Depending on the kind of worms/exact species, there will be no evidence in feacal floats unless you take the samples exactly when the parasites expel their eggs, which varies depending on the species.

 

[azygous]

@LaFleche I'm just not seeing how worms would cause leg pain. I've never heard of a relationship between worms and the kind of symptoms I'm seeing in this pullet. If you have any resources, scientific articles, or past BYC threads that draw this connection, I would be interested in reading them.

 

[LaFleche]

@LaFleche I'm just not seeing how worms would cause leg pain. I've never heard of a relationship between worms and the kind of symptoms I'm seeing in this pullet. If you have any resources, scientific articles, or past BYC threads that draw this connection, I would be interested in reading them.

Capillaria (several different species) for instance can cause hemorrhage and severe swelling of intestines which will then pressurize the sciatic nerve leading to lameness etc. up to death.
http://www.poultrydvm.com/condition/capillaria-worms

Tape worm infections can lead to paralysis and even death as well: http://www.poultrydvm.com/condition/tapeworms

ETA: Leg pain and leg weakness can also be caused by vitamin deficiencies. These links refer to effects on humans, but it is the same for chickens:
https://themedichannel.com/what-vitamin-deficiencies-cause-muscle-pain-and-cramps/
https://www.livestrong.com/article/408808-vitamin-deficiency-leg-pain/
https://www.integrativepainscienceinstitute.com/nutrient-deficiencies-aches-pains/

 

[LaFleche]

Some interesting international studies regarding worm infections in chickens: https://www.researchgate.net/figure...indigenous-chickens-of-Barisal_tbl1_281493014