Why would chicken stop walking?

[Wil781]

I have a Bantam hen that 2 days ago stopped walking, she can't get up and get going. She eats and drinks but just sits squatted so water and food has to be in set in front of her. I have heard that certain vitamins could be lacking in her diet and could cause this. This hen was given to me after owner wanted to cull her and I decided to give her a few more days, she is isolated from my hens just in case it is a disease that could infect my girls. The past owner I know feeds a lot of rice and bread and oats to her chickens and I'm concerned about the diet being the reason for this girl not being able to walk. I have added a couple of small drops of Nutri-Drench to her water. If anyone has any ideas please let me know, thanks!

 

[EggSighted4Life]

How old is this hen?

Where did she quit walking... did she stay in a lay box, middle of the yard...

Could be Marek's.

For suspected vitamin deficit I would do a drop of nutri drench straight to the beak or make it a semi strong mix.

If you are like most of us... there isn't enough space for a TRUE quarantine. I would never risk my whole flock to take in a known ill bird. I suggest if the bird does pass that you get a necropsy... rule in or out certain things. Link to do that...
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/nahln/downloads/all_nahln_lab_list.pdf

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/how-to-send-a-bird-for-a-necropsy-pictures.799747/

I would offer some scrambled egg. Or as a last ditch effort even raw egg yolk... since it can sustain chicks. Raw carries risk of it's own, so I only use from my own flock and as a last effort.

What do the poos look like? Any visible difference in pupils?

Bless your tender heart!

Hope she pulls through.

 

[Wil781]

How old is this hen?

Where did she quit walking... did she stay in a lay box, middle of the yard...

Could be Marek's.

For suspected vitamin deficit I would do a drop of nutri drench straight to the beak or make it a semi strong mix.

If you are like most of us... there isn't enough space for a TRUE quarantine. I would never risk my whole flock to take in a known ill bird. I suggest if the bird does pass that you get a necropsy... rule in or out certain things. Link to do that...
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/nahln/downloads/all_nahln_lab_list.pdf

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/how-to-send-a-bird-for-a-necropsy-pictures.799747/

I would offer some scrambled egg. Or as a last ditch effort even raw egg yolk... since it can sustain chicks. Raw carries risk of it's own, so I only use from my own flock and as a last effort.

What do the poos look like? Any visible difference in pupils?

Bless your tender heart!

Hope she pulls through. [/QUOTE
Thanks for your quick response. The hen is a little over a year old, she was in the coop and didn't come out that morning when the hens were let out. The owner is actually my next door neighbor so now I am really worried about my flock because our chickens are only about 75 yards apart. I now have this little hen in my house in utility room in a cage. I have not seen a poop yet but if not normal will add a post. I am going to give her a big drop of Nutrition-Drench right now. Thanks again.

 

[Wil781]

Thanks for your quick response. The hen is a little over a year old, she was in the coop and didn't come out that morning when the hens were let out. The owner is actually my next door neighbor so now I am really worried about my flock because our chickens are only about 75 yards apart. I now have this little hen in my house in utility room in a cage. Pupils appear the same, I have not seen a poop yet but if not normal will add a post. I am going to give her a big drop of Nutrition-Drench right now. Thanks again

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Thanks for your quick response. The hen is a little over a year old, she was in the coop and didn't come out that morning when the hens were let out. The owner is actually my next door neighbor so now I am really worried about my flock because our chickens are only about 75 yards apart. I now have this little hen in my house in utility room in a cage. Pupils appear the same, I have not seen a poop yet but if not normal will add a post. I am going to give her a big drop of Nutrition-Drench right now. Thanks again

Is she broody?

She would likely already have passed if egg bound.

 

[Eggcessive]

I would give her some riboflavin (vitamin B2.) NutriDrench has some, but the dosage of ND is 1 ml per pound daily, and I don’t know if that is enough. On the other hand, you could crush 1/2 vitamin B Complex tablet, and sprinkle it on some food, egg, or a treat. It is hard to overdose B vitamins. Mareks could be a possibility, but I would treat for riboflavin deficiency first for 2 weeks. The sooner it is treated the better the chances of recovery.

 

[Wil781]

Is she broody?

She would likely already have passed if egg bound.

No she isn't broody, she is very passive but when try to sit her down she falls over. Her legs move but she can't stand up, her legs are neatly folded up under her. I'm really confused and pray this is not meraks. I gave her a big drop of Nutri-Drench on the beak hope that helps to give her strength. I think will try to get a vitamin B supplement in the morning. I'm going to feed her some scrambled egg shortly, she is drinking but I have not seen her try her food yet.

 

[Eggcessive]

Human B complex or nutritional yeast is fine to use. Here is a good article about B2 deficiency:
http://www.thepoultrysite.com/publications/6/diseases-of-poultry/217/vitamin-b2-deficiency/

 

[Wil781]

I would give her some riboflavin (vitamin B2.) NutriDrench has some, but the dosage of ND is 1 ml per pound daily, and I don’t know if that is enough. On the other hand, you could crush 1/2 vitamin B Complex tablet, and sprinkle it on some food, egg, or a treat. It is hard to overdose B vitamins. Mareks could be a possibility, but I would treat for riboflavin deficiency first for 2 weeks. The sooner it is treated the better the chances of recovery.

Thank you for your response. I was thinking in the morning I would go buy some Poly-vi-sol and start giving that to her. Do you have any idea how much I should give her? Or should I just buy tablets, I haven't seen her eat as of yet but she does drink. Going to try and get her to try some scrambled eggs this evening.

 

[Eggcessive]

The B complex tablets are probably cheaper and easier to find. Polyvisol without iron is fairly expensive, but if you use it, the usual dosage for chickens is 3 drops daily.