What is wrong with her legs?

[Three Little Bunnies]

Hi!

I have a young hen (her name is McLaren) who I found on the floor of the coop with her legs splayed out two days ago. She was extremely lethargic, had occasional spasms, and did not exhibit any interest in food or drink for most of yesterday. I put her in my 'illness cage' and expected her to die, but miraculously she perked up and now seems completely fine... except that she can't walk. When we tried to put her back with the flock she had trouble remaining standing (she just toppled over) and essentially dragged herself around. One of her legs was out straight. Any ideas?

1) What type of bird, age and weight (does the chicken seem or feel lighter or thinner than the others.) Production Blue hen, about ten months old, and she feels about the same weight as the other three of her breed.
2) What is the behavior, exactly. She scoots herself around to get to food and water rather than walking, and could not stay upright when put outside.
3) How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms? 48 hours
4) Are other birds exhibiting the same symptoms? No
5) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma. Not that I can see? And she doesn't seem to be in pain.
6) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation. I opened the door, which she was behind, but I think she was already injured or sick because there was a build-up of poop where she had been.
7) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all. Still eagerly attacks pellets and water.
8) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc. Normal
9) What has been the treatment you have administered so far? I brought her inside away from the flock and gave her some electrolyte water.
10 ) What is your intent as far as treatment? For example, do you want to treat completely yourself, or do you need help in stabilizing the bird til you can get to a vet? No vet.
11) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it. It may help.
12) Describe the housing/bedding in use. She's currently in a rabbit cage on pine shavings, but the normal coop is roughly six by ten, with pine shavings, and houses 31 birds. (They also have an extensive run.)

Thanks!

 

[CHlCKEN]

Paralysis and muscle spasms can be symptoms of two things especially: Mareks and a B12 deficiency. One is a lot more scary than the other but if she is vaccinated it’s much less likely that is what is causing her symptoms. Give a B complex vitamin, you can buy those at any CVS or Walgreens. Crush it up and put it in her water. Is she eating and drinking again?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Blue hen, about ten months old,

When was her last egg?
Do you have photos of her and her poop?

I'd provide the electrolytes or give a little sugar water.
Check her over for lice/mites, see that her crop is emptying and also check her for any signs of injury/bruising.

For help with leg issues, you want to give B2(Riboflavin), so a good way to get that is to give her 1/4 tablet B-Complex daily. Just pull down on the wattles, pop the piece of tablet into the beak and let her swallow, that way you know she's gotten the extra vitamins.

If she's unable to walk and is getting soiled, you can try placing her in a sling to help her keep upright and a bit cleaner, but she'll have to be monitored while in a sling.


Example of B-Complex

 

[Eggcessive]

B2 (riboflavin) deficiency, not B12, may cause leg issues in chickens. B complex tablets have B2 and B 12, along with all other B vitamins. Riboflavin deficiency causes a chicken to sit or walk on hocks, have curled under toes, and can lead to permanent paralysis.

 

[ChickenTenderKesha]

B2 (riboflavin) deficiency, not B12, may cause leg issues in chickens. B complex tablets have B2 and B 12, along with all other B vitamins. Riboflavin deficiency causes a chicken to sit or walk on hocks, have curled under toes, and can lead to permanent paralysis.

Hello Eggcessive! I’d make a post myself but, I do like looking over posts already made to see if I can find the same information without creating a new post and overloading the forums. I can always make my own post if preferred!

Would Brewers yeast be recommended for a Riboflavin deficiency? I’ve got a pullet and a single hen experiencing the same thing as OP has posted. Both are alert and wanting to move around just having issues with the legs not cooperating with them. I’ve had to change feed lately due to weather and imagine it’s a lower quality than I had previously been using. Just hoping to see if Brewers yeast will do the same as the B Complex or if I’m “beating a dead horse” trying to utilize the yeast

 

[Eggcessive]

Brewers yeast does contain the b vitamins. I prefer the b complex since it is easier in dosage.,