Wyandotte hen can't stand up or balance - video

Cadbury Eggs

In the Brooder
6 Years
Apr 9, 2013
37
2
22
Gig Harbor, WA
I have a 14 month old Gold Laced Wyandotte hen who can't stand up. She has been hanging back from the flock for a couple days, then 4 days ago I went to feed in the morning and she was sitting in the corner of the coop instead of outside with the rest of the girls. When I put the food out, she tried to shuffle down the ramp but couldn't bring her right leg past center to step forward. I set her on the ground and observed the same awkward motion as she tried to get to the feeder. I separated her from the flock and put her in a box with food and water.

She is readily drinking and eating, is alert, preening, and pooping. There doesn't appear to be any external injury, no swelling or redness on her legs, no bumps or lesions, her leg scales are smooth, feet appear normal. Her poo looks normal: consistent frequency size texture and color. She is a normal weight. Her feathers are soft and shiny, skin is normal yellow. I don't know when she last layed, as she has been mixed with the flock, but she has not layed in the last 4 days of being confined. I have been feeding the flock Payback Layer Pellet, free choice grit and oyster shell, veggie scraps from the garden and kitchen. I supplement the flock water once a week with Probiotic Egg Boost. The chicken run is completely enclosed so there is no possibility that she was attacked or got into something.

Every day she is getting progressively worse. At this point, she can't stand up or balance in a normal sitting position. Her legs are often stretched out in front or to the side. She uses her wings to help her balance. I have searched this site, but haven't found anything that quite matches. At this point I am at a loss for what to do that will help her.

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Everyone in the flock was vaccinated for Marek's as chicks before I got them. I uploaded the wrong video and am trying to get the longer one off my phone to post as well.
 
Okay, a couple questions then... So if they can still get Marek's if they are vaccinated, why vaccinate? Also, where did I go wrong or what could I have done to prevent this? What do I need to do for the rest of my flock (30 hens) who are not exhibiting any of these symptoms?
 
Okay, a couple questions then... So if they can still get Marek's if they are vaccinated, why vaccinate? Also, where did I go wrong or what could I have done to prevent this? What do I need to do for the rest of my flock (30 hens) who are not exhibiting any of these symptoms?
I'm not saying that it is Marek's and there's no reason not to treat her for other things. Do a search for "cage layer fatigue", see if that fits.

-Kathy
 
I just looked up "cage layer fatigue", I'd never heard of that before, but I don't think that's right either. It sounds like that primarily occurs because of lack of calcium and lack of exercise in caged birds. I have always provided oyster shells to the girls since they started laying last summer. And although I contain my flock (because we have a bald eagle nest and coyotes on our property) they have lots of space and things to climb on.






The cage to the right was only there last spring when I was transitioning a couple chicks into the flock, and the nest boxes are now padded and bedded with shavings.

 


This is the way she was laying this morning. When I pick her up she kicks her legs and can curl her toes. I tried setting her down with her legs under her and she instantly tried to reach for the food. As soon as I let go, she falls on her side and stretches her legs out to the side. I am considering culling her today, but I have never had to do that either.
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