Hello,
I've read a few similar posts that are older with no resolution, so I'm hoping there is someone out there with new information that can help.
I have a barred rocks who is paralyzed. I found her in the run yesterday afternoon flopped over on her side. Her leg seems to be unable to withstand her weight. She can only move by flopping her wings with great effort and she will not eat or drink. She was fine in the morning and paralyzed by the afternoon. That evening I moved her into the coop in a shallow box to protect her from careless little feet. I put food and water in with her and she is wholly disinterested in both. I checked her for any signs of injury and found none. Stool is clean with nothing unusual to report. She has a little blood on her comb from rooster pecks. She is not swollen and her feet are warm.
When returning her to the coop, I found an aracauna in the same condition. She was fine earlier in the day and progressed much quicker than the barred rocks. She died within 24 hours. These are both young birds, about 15 weeks old.
Here are some ideas:
1. Vitamin E deficiency. It was suggested to me by a friend who works at a farm clinic that this could be the cause. I've now administered the recommended amount by eye dropper in three doses to no effect.
2. A rude rooster. We have a rooster of the same age who is aggressive with the pullets, pecking them hard on the head. Could this be actual paralysis?
3. Egg binding. They are close to laying their first eggs. I was told that if they are not obviously swollen, then this is not the culprit. Thoughts?
4. Marek's Disease. They have all been vaccinated, so I hope I can rule that out.
If I can save my barred rocks, I of course want to do that. She is sleeping and breathing shallowly and refuses food and water. If she does not eat or drink soon, she will die of malnourishment. If I cannot save her, I do want to know what happened so I can protect my 40 other birds.
Thank you. I've learned everything I know here, it's such a valuable resource.
I've read a few similar posts that are older with no resolution, so I'm hoping there is someone out there with new information that can help.
I have a barred rocks who is paralyzed. I found her in the run yesterday afternoon flopped over on her side. Her leg seems to be unable to withstand her weight. She can only move by flopping her wings with great effort and she will not eat or drink. She was fine in the morning and paralyzed by the afternoon. That evening I moved her into the coop in a shallow box to protect her from careless little feet. I put food and water in with her and she is wholly disinterested in both. I checked her for any signs of injury and found none. Stool is clean with nothing unusual to report. She has a little blood on her comb from rooster pecks. She is not swollen and her feet are warm.
When returning her to the coop, I found an aracauna in the same condition. She was fine earlier in the day and progressed much quicker than the barred rocks. She died within 24 hours. These are both young birds, about 15 weeks old.
Here are some ideas:
1. Vitamin E deficiency. It was suggested to me by a friend who works at a farm clinic that this could be the cause. I've now administered the recommended amount by eye dropper in three doses to no effect.
2. A rude rooster. We have a rooster of the same age who is aggressive with the pullets, pecking them hard on the head. Could this be actual paralysis?
3. Egg binding. They are close to laying their first eggs. I was told that if they are not obviously swollen, then this is not the culprit. Thoughts?
4. Marek's Disease. They have all been vaccinated, so I hope I can rule that out.
If I can save my barred rocks, I of course want to do that. She is sleeping and breathing shallowly and refuses food and water. If she does not eat or drink soon, she will die of malnourishment. If I cannot save her, I do want to know what happened so I can protect my 40 other birds.
Thank you. I've learned everything I know here, it's such a valuable resource.
