Paralyzed 4 month old pullets

[Ohio Duck]

Hi, on Jan 16 one of my pullets started getting wobbly and walking on her hocks. By the next morning she couldn't walk at all and could barely stand without falling over.

I brought her inside and have been treating her for vitamin B deficiency. She can eat and drink on her own, but she can't stand up. Until a few days ago, I positioned her with her legs folded underneath her body, and she would shakily stand up on her hocks to poop. Now her knees won't bend enough to do that, so she is lying with her legs sticking out behind her.

One of my other pullets from the same batch started looking wobbly just now.

They were vaccinated for Marek's at the hatchery.

I don't know what else to do. Please help. I lost most of my first flock to predators in the spring. A pullet from a different batch of chicks died randomly in August. and now I have more birds who are unwell. I know chickens die but I didn't know it would be this bad.

I've added videos here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/paralyzed-4-month-old-pullets.1651232/post-28372162

 

[FowlProtector]

I'm really sorry you're going through this. It’s heartbreaking to put so much care into your flock and still face these challenges.
Given the symptoms—wobbliness progressing to paralysis, legs stretched behind her, and another pullet now showing early signs—I have a few concerns:

1. Marek’s Disease – Even though they were vaccinated at the hatchery, the vaccine doesn’t guarantee full protection, especially if they were exposed early. Some vaccinated birds can still develop the disease, though usually in a milder form. The stretched legs are a common sign of Marek’s, but it can mimic other issues.
2. Riboflavin (B2) Deficiency – While you're treating for B vitamins, riboflavin is especially crucial for leg paralysis. Poultry vitamin supplements with B2 (riboflavin) and E might help if it's a deficiency. Look at the ingredient list—many “poultry vitamin” mixes lack enough B2. Brewer’s yeast or a B-complex supplement can help.
3. Toxins or Mold – If multiple birds are affected, consider their feed. Any chance of moldy feed, spoiled grain, or something toxic in their environment? Botulism (from spoiled food or decaying matter) can cause paralysis as well.
4. Other Neurological or Infectious Diseases – Less common, but things like avian encephalomyelitis can cause progressive paralysis in young birds.

Since another pullet is starting to show symptoms, I'd recommend:

• Checking the feed for mold, clumps, or an off smell.
• Adding vitamin B-complex (human or poultry) directly to their water or food.
• Looking for other signs (tumors, weight loss, eye issues, or labored breathing).

Have you noticed any eye changes, weight loss, or odd feather growth? How old are they, and are they still eating and drinking normally? I know this is overwhelming, but you’re doing your best.

 

[Debbie292d]

Hi,

Sorry about your losses. That's hard, I know.

Is your vitamin B you're giving a B-Complex? If not, I'd get that and give 1/4 of a human pill. If you don't have any and have to buy it, I'd get the liquid if available. Then it's easier to measure, just 1/4 of an eyedropper.

I would also give a human dose of E, about 400 iu, by putting it in her beak. You can pull down on her wattles to open it. Follow up with a little scrambled eggs for the selenium needed to absorb the E.

What have they been eating? Have they per chance had access to oyster shell?

 

[Ohio Duck]

I'm really sorry you're going through this. It’s heartbreaking to put so much care into your flock and still face these challenges.
Given the symptoms—wobbliness progressing to paralysis, legs stretched behind her, and another pullet now showing early signs—I have a few concerns:

1. Marek’s Disease – Even though they were vaccinated at the hatchery, the vaccine doesn’t guarantee full protection, especially if they were exposed early. Some vaccinated birds can still develop the disease, though usually in a milder form. The stretched legs are a common sign of Marek’s, but it can mimic other issues.
2. Riboflavin (B2) Deficiency – While you're treating for B vitamins, riboflavin is especially crucial for leg paralysis. Poultry vitamin supplements with B2 (riboflavin) and E might help if it's a deficiency. Look at the ingredient list—many “poultry vitamin” mixes lack enough B2. Brewer’s yeast or a B-complex supplement can help.
3. Toxins or Mold – If multiple birds are affected, consider their feed. Any chance of moldy feed, spoiled grain, or something toxic in their environment? Botulism (from spoiled food or decaying matter) can cause paralysis as well.
4. Other Neurological or Infectious Diseases – Less common, but things like avian encephalomyelitis can cause progressive paralysis in young birds.

Since another pullet is starting to show symptoms, I'd recommend:

• Checking the feed for mold, clumps, or an off smell.
• Adding vitamin B-complex (human or poultry) directly to their water or food.
• Looking for other signs (tumors, weight loss, eye issues, or labored breathing).

Have you noticed any eye changes, weight loss, or odd feather growth? How old are they, and are they still eating and drinking normally? I know this is overwhelming, but you’re doing your best.

Thank you very much for replying.

The pullets are 4 months old Buckeyes. They are still growing feathers. I can see the new ones coming in.

I have been giving them Rooster Booster Poultry Cell mixed with water, and nutritional yeast in with their food. The dosed water is being given alongside their regular water. I have seen them drink it.

The pullet I have been treating is getting scrambled egg and extra poultry cell dosed orally in addition to the other things.

I bought a new bag of feed two weeks ago when the first pullet started having issues. I completely emptied their feeder to put the new feed in. I didn't wash it though.

A possible source of mold is the straw around the heated waterer, because it does get quite wet.

The first pullet is pretty thin. She eats and drinks well on her own. At first she was panting off and on, but I have not observed this behavior for several days. I have felt up and down her body and cannot find anything unusual, other than the stiff knees and somewhat protruding breast bone. She sleeps a lot but wakes up to eat and poop.

I have not had as much time to observe the second ailing bird yet.

I don't know when to cull. It seems cruel to leave them in a box for weeks on end with no certain possibility of recovery. But they are eating and drinking and seem strong apart from the leg problem.

 

[Ohio Duck]

Hi,

Sorry about your losses. That's hard, I know.

Is your vitamin B you're giving a B-Complex? If not, I'd get that and give 1/4 of a human pill. If you don't have any and have to buy it, I'd get the liquid if available. Then it's easier to measure, just 1/4 of an eyedropper.

I would also give a human dose of E, about 400 iu, by putting it in her beak. You can pull down on her wattles to open it. Follow up with a little scrambled eggs for the selenium needed to absorb the E.

What have they been eating? Have they per chance had access to oyster shell?

Thank you very much for replying.

I am treating the ailing chickens with Rooster Booster Poultry Cell and nutritional yeast as well as scrambled eggs. Is the poultry cell considered a B-complex?

The whole flock is eating Purina Start and Grow nonmedicated crumbles. Since two weeks ago I have been mixing the nutritional yeast with this food. I have also started offering water mixed with the poultry cell in addition to their regular water. I used the recommended amounts online but I do not know if it's enough.

I have not been giving them oyster shell yet but I did just buy some.

 

[Debbie292d]

Thank you very much for replying.

I am treating the ailing chickens with Rooster Booster Poultry Cell and nutritional yeast as well as scrambled eggs. Is the poultry cell considered a B-complex?

The whole flock is eating Purina Start and Grow nonmedicated crumbles. Since two weeks ago I have been mixing the nutritional yeast with this food. I have also started offering water mixed with the poultry cell in addition to their regular water. I used the recommended amounts online but I do not know if it's enough.

I have not been giving them oyster shell yet but I did just buy some.

Poultry Cell does have B-Complex in it, but I would still give your chicken(s) the additional.

Don't give them the oyster shell yet, until they start laying. I just asked, as too much calcium when they are young can cause issues. That's great they are on the starter yet too!

 

[BigBlueHen53]

have not been giving them oyster shell yet but I did just buy some.

Just put it in a vessel they can't knock over in a dry area, perhaps inside the coop, and they will help themselves to it when they need it, typically just about the time they start to lay eggs. You may think they aren't taking any, because the level won't go down noticeably in the bowl, but they will take what they need. Same as grit, you do provide that in a separate bowl as well, right? They need that for digestion.

 

[Ohio Duck]

Poultry Cell does have B-Complex in it, but I would still give your chicken(s) the additional.

Don't give them the oyster shell yet, until they start laying. I just asked, as too much calcium when they are young can cause issues. That's great they are on the starter yet too!

Thank you, I was planning on giving the shell to them starting in the spring.

I may have messed up at the beginning of this month by giving them a bunch of cracked corn mixed in with the crumbles. They ate all of it including the crumbles - the feeder is inside so it's easy to check - but maybe it was filling them up too much and not giving them enough nutrition. I stopped it as soon as the first one started showing issues.

I just don't understand why another one is having issues after I started supplementing their feed with B vitamins. I'm aware that Marek's is a fairly likely possibility, I just wish I had some kind of confirmation to go on before culling.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I give mine a little cracked corn, but I toss it on the ground so they can scratch for it, I don't mix it with their feed. I'm so sorry your girls are sick.

 

[Debbie292d]

Thank you, I was planning on giving the shell to them starting in the spring.

I may have messed up at the beginning of this month by giving them a bunch of cracked corn mixed in with the crumbles. They ate all of it including the crumbles - the feeder is inside so it's easy to check - but maybe it was filling them up too much and not giving them enough nutrition. I stopped it as soon as the first one started showing issues.

I just don't understand why another one is having issues after I started supplementing their feed with B vitamins. I'm aware that Marek's is a fairly likely possibility, I just wish I had some kind of confirmation to go on before culling.

I don't give mine any, but still, just doing it for a while, mixed in their feed, wouldn't cause something this drastic to happen.

Too much of anything besides their feed can cause them to eat less feed, thus vitamin deficiencies can occur, but usually over long term.

You're supplementing with Poultry Cell so that should be covering any losses, but I still would try the E and B-Complex for two weeks prior to deciding to cull them. If then you see no improvement, you can decide. I've been there, and it's not an easy thing to do.