Paralyzed 4 month old pullets

[Ohio Duck]

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.

Thank you very much.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

The only way to know for sure what you're dealing with is to send the body of one of the birds to your state lab for a necropsy. Don't freeze the body. Double bag and refrigerate it or keep it on ice in a cooler until you're ready to send it in.

Here is a list of state labs:

https://www.metzerfarms.com/poultry-labs.html

 

[Wyorp Rock]

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.

The pullets are 4 months old Buckeyes.

What are you feeding? Name/brand of feed and what kind?

Can you post photos of the pullets?

I agree, I would give the vitamins directly, see if they help.

 

[Ohio Duck]

What are you feeding? Name/brand of feed and what kind?

Can you post photos of the pullets?

I agree, I would give the vitamins directly, see if they help.

Purina Start and Grow nonmedicated crumbles, now with nutritional yeast added in by me.

Please let me know if these video links work for you. Thanks.

Pullet 2 (Aang) today. She started showing symptoms yesterday afternoon.

https://imgur.com/cwqob2W

Pullet 1 (Blondie) today. She was not doing this constant kicking until this morning. She also seems to be breathing heavily.

https://imgur.com/asoGjpB

Close up of Blondie's breathing today. The sucking in of her cheeks is also new.

https://imgur.com/HDOvbEb

Pullet 1 (Blondie) 24 hours ago:

https://imgur.com/NhPUilR

Pullet 1 (Blondie) on January 18:

https://imgur.com/kVtSg2W

 

[Eggcessive]

Poultry Cell has some B vitamins including riboflavin, but is not B complex. I would try to get Blondie up in a chicken sling chair with her legs down touching the ground. If you use one, take her out for periods of rest or sleeping. Here is a good thread on chicken sling chairs and examples and diagrams on the first 2 pages:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/versions-of-chick-chairs-please.1166308/

 

[Farmgirl283420]

I really hope your chickens get better. So sorry you’re going through this.

 

[Ohio Duck]

Poultry Cell has some B vitamins including riboflavin, but is not B complex. I would try to get Blondie up in a chicken sling chair with her legs down touching the ground. If you use one, take her out for periods of rest or sleeping. Here is a good thread on chicken sling chairs and examples and diagrams on the first 2 pages:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/versions-of-chick-chairs-please.1166308/

You don't think she looks too far gone? I can't seem to get her relaxed and eating today.

 

[Eggcessive]

You don't think she looks too far gone? I can't seem to get her relaxed and eating today.

Poor thing. Maybe wait until tomorrow and use your own judgement. She could be nearing the end, since she is so unsettled. I’m sorry.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I'd try the vitamin B-Complex as suggested.

I do fear she may not make it.

Marek's disease comes to mind, but without testing, there's no way to really know.
If you lose her, it would be a very good idea to have a necropsy to find out what is causing these symptoms, since you have more than one that is not well.

You can find your state lab here:
https://www.metzerfarms.com/poultry...ziIK08I36RlB7Y4Vw-O21UWelfYB5T6ECYQ3bDb5OUFcp