Weak hen, can't stand or bend neck

[PeepersMama]

I have a Cochin bantam hen who just turned one. She went broody, and a few days into it she started acting funny. She won't move her neck down to eat, or around to preen. I can tell she reeeally wants to preen though, poor thing. She is also too weak to stand without support. I went out this afternoon (she is in her own cage) and she was literally sitting on her butt with her feet sticking out in front of her. :/ She's the only one acting like this, its been going on since memorial day, her poop is on the runny side but otherwise normal, her eyes and nose are clear, and whatever is wrong with her it isn't viral. She tries to flap and preen and do normal chicken things, but she can't keep her balance!

Thanks in advance

 

[Glenda Heywoodo]

http://www.darwinvets.com/poultry/common-chicken-problems-diseases
I felt that your chiucken has Marek's disease. so Ilooked up some information for you.
Marek’s disease is a nasty illness caused by an alpha-herpes virus that infects the immune system, causing nervous signs and tumours, usually in birds less than 5 months old.
Commercial chickens are vaccinated against it routinely, but because the vaccine is only effective when the birds are very young, it is not possible to vaccinate your chicken once it is an adult. Silkies and Sebrights are particularly prone to this disease

This disease is very contagious and is spread through feather dust. Signs to look out for include paralysis, usually of one wing (resulting in a dropped wing) and leg, a head tilt, and changes in the droppings because the digestive tract can be affected.

Unfortunately, there is no cure for Marek’s disease and euthanasia of the affected bird should be performed both on welfare grounds and for the health of the remaining flock.

If you are purchasing your chickens from a breeder, it is worth asking them to vaccinate your chicks before you collect them (the vaccine needs to be given at 1 day of age, then again 2 weeks later). If you are getting ex-industry chickens, it is worth finding out if they have already been vaccinated
. If you intend to breed your own chickens, make sure you are prepared and have ordered the vaccine in advance of the hatching

 

[PeepersMama]

Thank you for responding!

I have seen Marek's before, and I'm confident that this isn't it, mostly because she is the only one acting like this. She isn't acting anything like any sick chicken I've seen before, personality-wise. She's completely alert, eating every chance she gets, her eyes are bright and curious - if not for the fact that she can't stand without support, she'd almost be normal.

I almost think it might be a stroke.... When I bring her inside, she usually only has her right eye open. And I've noticed her left leg seems to be weaker than her right. Is there any chance this is it?

 

[Glenda Heywoodo]

Well best thing I would advise is take her to a Vet and have them test her.
She may get over this and you would find it worth the cost of the vet,
as she is a pet.
Hopefully you will do that.

 

[PeepersMama]

I'm going to see if Dad will let me pay for a vet visit with my college money.
Thank you so much for the reply!

 

[PeepersMama]

I made a sling for her to sit in, since she can't stand on her own.

 

[Glenda Heywoodo]

Here is what one lady did
https://www.facebook.com/rogerswildlife/photos/pcb.1028442603843215/102844256050
Public Posts




Donna Hancock-Mayner shared [URL='https://www.facebook.com/rogerswildlife/?hc_ref=SEARCH']Rogers Wildlife Rehabilitation Center's post.[/URL]
· [URL='https://www.facebook.com/donna.hancockmayner/posts/1086640204679681?match=Zm9yIGNoaWNrZW4sc2xpbmcsbGVn']December 20, 2015 ·
I have alot of friends who would think this was a bit too far for chicken rehab!! Lol. Michael Leon Young!!!!!





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[Glenda Heywoodo]

Another idea is this

Share





To Save Juliet Chicken Sanctuary added [URL='https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1765885713642908&id=1592243384340476']3 new photos.[/URL]
· [URL='https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1765885713642908&id=1592243384340476&match=c2xpbmcgZm9yLGNoaWNrZW4sbGVn']April 24, 2016 ·
We made a little sling for Mayor to get her off her stomach for awhile. Because of her messed up leg she flops around on her belly all day. So we cut little holes in the fabric for her legs to go through so she's in swing she fell right asleep after putting her in it.



[/URL]

 

[Glenda Heywoodo]

another idea using Vet wrap no too tight on leg
Tania Diaz added [URL='https://www.facebook.com/tania.diaz.3323457/posts/10210376061504765']2 new photos.[/URL]
· [URL='https://www.facebook.com/tania.diaz.3323457/posts/10210376061504765?match=c2xpbmcgZm9yLGNoaWNrZW4sbGVn']July 11, 2016 ·
Meanwhile, Eleanor is back in her sling for her physical therapy and a new leg soft cast, appears she strained her left knee. She is the sweetest little thing. Who knew a chicken could be so sweet and interactive. She sleeps in a basket and doesn't get out untill I get her up in the morning. Yes, she is in the house. Yes it sounds crazy.


[/URL]

 

[Glenda Heywoodo]

another idea

Indraloka Animal Sanctuary
· [URL='https://www.facebook.com/IndralokaAS/photos/a.322137774534590.76227.258523790895989/1034006033347757/?type=3']May 4, 2016 ·[/URL]
[URL='https://www.facebook.com/IndralokaAS/?hc_ref=SEARCH&fref=nf']Today is International Respect for Chickens Day! Like so many chickens bred for meat, sweet Chi came to us with severe mobility problems. "Meat" chickens have been bred to grow so large, so fast that muscle growth far outpaces bone growth, resulting in high rates of leg deformity and lameness. To help dear Chi spend time outdoors and at least partially satisfy her highly inquisitive nature, we built her a portable sling. Learn more about some of the wonderful chicken residents at Indraloka, here: [URL='https://indralokaanimalsanctuary.wordpress.com/category/chickens/']https://indralokaanimalsanctuary.wordpress.com/ca…/chickens/[/URL]
[URL='https://www.facebook.com/IndralokaAS/?hc_ref=SEARCH&fref=nf']
[URL='https://www.facebook.com/IndralokaAS/photos/a.322137774534590.76227.258523790895989/1034006033347757/?type=3'][/URL]
[URL='https://www.facebook.com/IndralokaAS/?hc_ref=SEARCH&fref=nf']
[URL='https://www.facebook.com/search/str/leg+sling+for+chicken/keywords_top#']Glenda Heywood[/URL]
[URL='https://www.facebook.com/IndralokaAS/?hc_ref=SEARCH&fref=nf']
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