What could this be??

[lissalischicks]

I am posting for a friend so I apologize if I don't have all the info and no pictures but hopefully you guys can help.

About a few days ago her girl starting limping. She thought she had hurt herself so she was immediately separated. She has progressed to not being able to walk. She can drag herself around. Both of her legs are straight forward ahead of her like when a human sits on the floor with legs straight out. She can still move them but can't get up on her on. She has diarrhea and her stool is a tarry black color. Her appetite is fine. Was laying eggs but today seems eggbound. What could she have??

 

[ChickNanny13]

What is the age of the chicken affected? Is she in the area affected by the "flu"? Possible Mareks. It's good that she has her separated, she can treat for egg bound may make the hen more comfortable. IF the hen passes, she needs to get a necropsy done to find out what the cause was, in the event any other of her flock starts showing symptoms.

 

[Kathy Golla]

Hi @lissalischicks ,
Very similar thread here
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/my-hen-suddenly-can’t-seem-to-use-her-legs.1320920/
Would first ask your friend if This hen is vaccinated for mareks disease.
If she is not, it’s most likely mareks, although there are other things (vitamin deficiency, pinched nerve, injury) it could be.
If her hen was vaccinated, explore other things but mareks, but there is such a thing as vaccine failure or having another strain besides what the vaccine covers.
Second that if the hen passes, important to have a necropsy done.

 

[lissalischicks]

@ChickNanny13 The chicken is around a year old. We are in the quarantine area of vND but I don't think it's vND.
@Kathy Golla this hen is a rescue that was found wondering in her neighborhood. Honestly, she probably was not vaccinated. I don't think it's a pinched nerve because when you to set her on her legs she tries to stand but then can't seem to understand how to stand.

Honestly, I feel like it Marek's but pray it's something else not deadly.

 

[Kathy Golla]

I know. Chickens aren’t easy.
She should keep a record of which one of her hens are vaccinated and which are not.
Chickens can survive mareks symptoms. Some do not. If one has mareks in your flock it’s instructive to know about it.
Mareks is very endemic in flocks nowadays. It’s almost a way of life.

 

[lissalischicks]

Thanks @Kathy Golla Unfortunately most of her chickens are rescues and no history. Cross fingers the others are fine.

 

[Kathy Golla]

Ya it is what it is. Shes probably lucky if this is her first case. God bless the folks who rescue hens/roosters.
Have her try the vitamins listed in the post, Ive seen lots of people have luck with it.
A hen is usually going to pass quickly of Mareks, or linger and survive the Mareks symptoms, or its another issue like vitamin deficiency, possible...
If she has a chicken pass, she should be brave and find out whats going on.
If Mareks shows up, she needs to be aware of biosecurity with her flock. For instance, just going to the feed store wearing the same shoes as she visits her flock with, could pass on Mareks unwittingly to a feed store patron.
Be careful of biosecurity between her and your flock.