Why would chicken stop walking?

[Wil781]

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.

Ok I will get the tablets so is the dosage 1/2 tablet once daily or 3 times a day?

 

[Wil781]

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.

Ok ended up buying the Poly-vi-sol only because she is not eating that I can tell so was afraid I wouldn't be able to get the crushed tablet in her. Pricey is so true wow! I can tell that the toes on one foot are curled so isn't that a good sign of vitamin deficiency and not the dreaded Mareks? Anyway I will give her another drop of the vitamins at noon and then at dinner time, I'm going to try scrambling another egg for lunch also. I will let you know if I see any great improvement.

 

[Wil781]

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.

Not seeing any improvement but it has only been a day but now have new symptom she now gasps and has a mucus in her mouth any ideas?

 

[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.

The little hen is still alive, she has gained some strength in her legs, I have been giving her 1 drop of Poly-Vi-Sol 3 times a day thinking maybe a vitamin deficiency. She did eat a little boiled egg last night. She has not pooped on her own, if I rub her tummy lightly she will poop it is watery and has a very strong smell. This morning she had a little mucus in her mouth and was not interested in water. She has started drinking on own again. She is making little gasps with her mouth, she has no chest rattle, her eyes are clear, no discharge from her nose. Should I continue to place egg on her beak to get her to eat? Any ideas about new symptoms?

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I can tell that the toes on one foot are curled so isn't that a good sign of vitamin deficiency and not the dreaded Mareks?

In my experience... the toes curl automatically when the leg is retracted to a certain position... it SEEMS like.

Marek's does stink, but having a good understanding makes it not as dreaded. It doesn't have to be a death sentence for a whole flock.

The mouth discharge would indicate to me that it isn't vitamin deficit. Gasping is not a good thing and to me an indicator of decline.

I would not put egg on the beak. I would just make food available. I don't think a vitamin deficit would stop them from eating.

I understand the desire to save the life of this bird... but sometimes we MUST do what is in the best interest of our whole flock. Taking in a failing bird is definitely not going to help your birds. I have a feeling the owner was making the right choice... a difficult choice, but sometimes necessary. One life or many? Sorry, I don't mean to harp on you... and I hope you will have no regrets, but also that you might consider your flock more seriously next time. (I know it was from next door, but that still isn't QUITE the same to me). Even if it is a vitamin deficit... all the other birds in her flock doing fine mean this one would have a genetic issue... inviting weakness and disease to take her down first or to live among the flock. Death... keeps a flock strong, IMHO.

With development of new symptoms, I would cull and send the body for necropsy tomorrow.

Here is a symptom checker tool you can see if you can narrow something down...
http://www.poultrydvm.com/views/symptoms.php

As the other poster said it could take several weeks of treating with vitamins to see recovery. Whatever is right for you, even if I disagree..

Have you seen these chicken slings to help get weight off their legs and stretch? The muscles in the legs are just going to atrophy (waste) without any use... so I think you need to do some physical therapy otherwise, it may be too much weakness to notice the improvement when it starts to take place. The muscles get tight and shortened from being in the same position and becomes uncomfortable to move them even more... speaking from experience of a dislocation that was on a splint/sling for 6 weeks... and still recovering a year later....

 

[Wyorp Rock]

She has not pooped on her own, if I rub her tummy lightly she will poop it is watery and has a very strong smell. This morning she had a little mucus in her mouth and was not interested in water.

She is making little gasps with her mouth

Is her crop emptying overnight?
Photos of what she looks like would be good.

Not being able to poop on her own is very concerning. How lethargic is she?

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Is her crop emptying overnight?

Same question I was wondering.

 

[Wil781]

Same question I was wondering.

She is not eating, her crop is empty, not drinking on her own if I put tip of beak in water she will drink. I’m going to cull in the morning, I don’t want her to suffer. I appreciate everyone’s help and I really hope I have not infected my girls. Live and learn

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Awww.... She is a sweet little hen.

I do wish that there were better answers for you. Without getting some testing/diagnosis, there is no way to know what is causing her illness.
Here's a link to your state lab:
http://agi.alabama.gov/divisions/veterinary-diagnostic-labs

 

[EggSighted4Life]

She is not eating

Aww, she's a cute girl! Surprising how red her comb is.

I hope your flock remains well also. It's VERY difficult to be tender hearted and wanna save them all but still have to make decisions in the best interest of our already existing animals. That is a dilemma I face with wanting to rescue shelter pets as well. If you do end up facing something... I would go with the thought that you may have faced anyways with it right next door and also that you followed your heart and did your very best. You will have this experience to draw on when you face this situation in the future to help you weigh the pros and cons and make YOUR best decision possible.

She may be having internal laying issues pressing on a nerve or it might be disease. It would be awesome if you and the neighbor could work together to find out since it will benefit both of you to know. For example get the bird to necropsy and split the fee if there is one. Here is Ca it's $20 for 2 birds plus shipping.

Very sorry you face this. Culling a bird you worked hard to save is extra hard IMO.