Hen can’t walk/stand

[Stefanie-Gorby]

Hi there, I have a hen that started showing some strange symptoms yesterday. I can out to check on them and give them some treats and she couldn’t stand well or would stand and fall and catch herself with her wing. She is worse today; legs won’t work at all and she’s just sitting on her side. Eating a drinking and appears bright eyed so far. Thoughts? I’ll try and post a video from yesterday and picture of today.

 

[chickens really]

Coccidiosis or egg bound?
@Wyorp Rock

 

[Eggcessive]

It sounds unfortunately the way Mareks disease can start. Sometimes they will have trouble with balance, and one leg may not function properly. Sometimes they may have a drooping wing or a twisted neck.

But first treat with fluids and electorlytes with vitamins, in case of dehydration or a vitamin deficiency. Some illnesses such as coccidiosis can make them very weak and unable to stand. In some hens who are egg bound, they might have a temporary paralysis from pressure on a nerve.

Injuries from jumping or a rooster trying to mate can cause a sprain or back injury. So observe and make sure that she can reach her food and water. Here is some reading about Mareks disease, and I hope that she does not have it:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq.66077/

https://extension.psu.edu/mareks-disease-in-chickens

 

[Stefanie-Gorby]

It sounds unfortunately the way Mareks disease can start. Sometimes they will have trouble with balance, and one leg may not function properly. Sometimes they may have a drooping wing or a twisted neck.

But first treat with fluids and electorlytes with vitamins, in case of dehydration or a vitamin deficiency. Some illnesses such as coccidiosis can make them very weak and unable to stand. In some hens who are egg bound, they might have a temporary paralysis from pressure on a nerve.

Injuries from jumping or a rooster trying to mate can cause a sprain or back injury. So observe and make sure that she can reach her food and water. Here is some reading about Mareks disease, and I hope that she does not have it:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq.66077/

https://extension.psu.edu/mareks-disease-in-chickens

I fear Mareks as well. We aren’t giving up on her yet. She’s got some vitamins in her water, I keep moving the food/water close to her as she moves around, she at a whole scrambled egg earlier. I’m trying and hoping she snaps out of it. We don’t have any roosters, she hasn’t started laying yet but was squatting over the last week or so. Breaks my heart she is the sweetest. Thanks for the reply.

 

[chickens really]

I fear Mareks as well. We aren’t giving up on her yet. She’s got some vitamins in her water, I keep moving the food/water close to her as she moves around, she at a whole scrambled egg earlier. I’m trying and hoping she snaps out of it. We don’t have any roosters, she hasn’t started laying yet but was squatting over the last week or so. Breaks my heart she is the sweetest. Thanks for the reply.

If Mereks they all are carriers..

 

[Stefanie-Gorby]

If Mereks they all are carriers..

I know

 

[chickens really]

I know

I'm thinking something simpler like coccidiosis or egg bound.

 

[Eggcessive]

You can insert a finger into her vent about an inch (wear a disposable glove if you have one,) to feel for a stuck egg. Sometimes there can be a shell-less egg stuck because they are difficult to pass.

Tell us what her droppings look like. If she had coccidiosis, she would be very weak, her poops would be runny. They sometimes have blood in the droppings.

You may want to make her a sling to get her upright where you can place food and water in front of her. It keeps them cleaner as well, and you can take her out often to stretch or do some leg movements with her, and to sleep. Here are some good examples, and how to build one:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/versions-of-chick-chairs-please.1166308/

 

[Stefanie-Gorby]

Here’s her poop it’s very runny and very stinky.
She hasn’t started laying yet... I’m wondering if that’s it. So call me dumb but the vent is the only hole she has right? I pushed around between her pubic bones to check for an egg and couldn’t feel any. Is it possible to feel one?

 

[Eggcessive]

There is only one hole the vent or cloaca where the egg tract or oviduct meets with the end of the large intestine. If there is an egg, you should feel it within the first inch. I have felt for an egg, and just felt normal soft tissue. I haven’t felt an egg stuck before. That dropping does not look good. @casportpony is pretty good with poop pictures, and may comment.