Why Is My Hen Not Standing On Her Leg?

[SkyWolf]

This hen was also from the same people as the rooster on my previous thread. So I know next to nothing about what could have happened to her, though they do have a chicken who has been hit by a car. Anyways, nothing seems wrong when I look at the leg. No cuts, lumps, or skin discoloration. It seems normal, but she refuses to walk in it. She mostly lays down and does nothing all day. She doesn’t eat much unless it is close to her, making her a bit skinny. She does stand and walk sometimes, but she stands on one leg and hops to move. Thoughts?

UPDATE: We still have no idea if the bird (now named Hester) is a hen or a rooster. Hester is in between 5-7 months old. Exhibiting both hen and rooster traits. Anyways, on to the leg issue. We still aren’t positive, but we do believe Hester has spasticity in their right thigh. The muscle has completely atrophied and the skin is a super tight, unlike the other leg. Hester also has weakness in their lower leg and has trouble uncurling their toes. This could have been from anything, but the owners mentioned they thought Hester was hit by the car too. This could be true, or it was assume cause Hester wasn’t walking on that leg. Either way, there isn’t anything we can do if they do have spasticity in their leg. It isn’t hurting Hester from what we can see, and they are learning to function okay with one leg. They did get picked on a lot at their old home, and have a lot of bloody scabs on their head. Spasticity is permanent, Hester will have it for the rest of their life. For now we are holding onto Hester partially to make sure it is this and not something else. But mainly because Hester and the other rooster (The Hopping Dead) are clearly super close and I’d feel bad separating them. Hester doesn’t pick at The Hopping Dead’s wound, ‘protects’ him from us (and our cats when they past by the cage), and always seems to be cuddling with him.

 

[Chicken poppy]

But you plan on taking these birds back to their flock if you can cure them?
Potential of introducing Marek's into the other people's flock now...

It's going to take time and daily commitment to make sure your biosecurity routine is solid so you're not exposing your flock or these 2 to anything that can be spread to one another. Oh well. Hopefully things will turn out o.k.

BTW- The Marek's vaccine can help inhibit or slow tumors but does not prevent infection from the virus.

This is a great point.. My chickens have had Mareks and i wouldn’t wish it upon anyone. Any “variant” is terrible and it’s often a slow death. Possibly introducing that to another flock would be absolutely terrible. Even if it‘s no concern to you. (The OP)

 

[Jayneann]

I have

UPDATE: We still have no idea if the bird (now named Hester) is a hen or a rooster. Hester is in between 5-7 months old. Exhibiting both hen and rooster traits. Anyways, on to the leg issue. We still aren’t positive, but we do believe Hester has spasticity in their right thigh. The muscle has completely atrophied and the skin is a super tight, unlike the other leg. Hester also has weakness in their lower leg and has trouble uncurling their toes. This could have been from anything, but the owners mentioned they thought Hester was hit by the car too. This could be true, or it was assume cause Hester wasn’t walking on that leg. Either way, there isn’t anything we can do if they do have spasticity in their leg. It isn’t hurting Hester from what we can see, and they are learning to function okay with one leg. They did get picked on a lot at their old home, and have a lot of bloody scabs on their head. Spasticity is permanent, Hester will have it for the rest of their life. For now we are holding onto Hester partially to make sure it is this and not something else. But mainly because Hester and the other rooster (The Hopping Dead) are clearly super close and I’d feel bad separating them. Hester doesn’t pick at The Hopping Dead’s wound, ‘protects’ him from us (and our cats when they past by the cage), and always seems to be cuddling with him.

a flock of gold laced Wyandotte. Definitely a hen and rooster. The rooster has saddle feathers. One of my hens started limping and won’t put weight on her leg. I can’t find anything wrong. They are a heavy bird and I’m thinking injury. She’s in a small coop inside the run until much improved.