Single hen

[shalloran]

Hi,

 

One of my chickens has suddenly stopped using her legs and when put down on a flat surface only lies flat with her head drooping down. She can't seem to balance or support herself at all. I've looked at both of her legs and there don't appear to be any injuries or lumps. I've also felt her crop and it's not enlarged and doesn't appear blocked. I have been giving her some feed and water and she is taking it, but where she has been sitting in her nesting area of 3 days she doesn't appear to have passed anything as the straw is still clean.

 

She doesn't appear to be in any pain, but it's distressing all the same and I'm not really sure where to go from here. I would really appreciate any advice you can give me. Many thanks!

[chelsea]

oh dear she doesnt sound good at all does she?

 

When they go off their legs like that it generally indicates they are feeling very poorly. Has she laid recently?

Has she been wormed recently?

 

I think she should see a vet if you can get her to one

[Daphne]

take her to the vet, now. Its hard to say what it might be (infection affecting balance? mareks? broken/sprained/fractured leg?) but it sounds serious and you need professional help. How old is she?

[Egluntyne]

Please take her to a vet, today. She sounds very poorly and beyond home remedies now.

 

Let us know how you get on.

 

In the meantime, keep her warm, bring her indoors and put her in a box with a comfortably warm padded ho"Ooops, word censored!"er bottle. If you can syringe dripa of water into her beak, that will help prevent her becoming dehydrated.

[shalloran]

Hi Everyone,

 

Thanks for the replies. I have got an appointment booked at the vet, but I've brought her indoors and she is drinking from a little bowl and eating some mash and corn in the meantime. At least she is getting some water. Other than her legs she seems fine even to the point of giving one of my cats a warning cluck when he came too near to have a look.

 

She also passed a very eggy smelling stool in her box so it looks like things are working that end. Any reason for the smell though?

 

By the way she's 3 years old and I know I might sound naive with my questions, but this is the first time we've had any problems with either of my two. Also, what rate of success have you had with your vet bearing in mind that chickens are still fairly uncommon pets?

 

Many thanks!

[Guest]

our local vet, about 5 mins down the road, doesn't do chickens! we looked a little further afield, we figured if we looked in an area where there were some farms, we'd have better luck and we did! It's about a 20/30 min drive but worth it as they know their stuff and have treated 3 of our girls now.

[Daphne]

my vets are a mixed practice, so they are more used to dealing with livestock as well as pets, tho I wouldn't say they are chicken experts. Completely coincidentally after I posted my message to you I had a pullet off her legs which came on very suddenly. She couldn't stand (been a bit odd sitting down a lot for a week but eating/drinking/pooing). Anyway, I rushed her there yesterday evening. She had very bad breathing and has been given baytril, plus a couple of other things. I'm not sure she's going to make it, fully expected her to be dead in house this morning. But she wasn't - and she'd laid what I think is her first egg. The point of this ramble is to say although I know she's very ill (now standing, but hunched and tail down) I think if I hadn't taken her she'd definitely be dead by now. I don't rush my birds to the vets at every opportunity, and in fact I feel a bit guilty I didn't take her before, but 'sitting down a lot' doesn't really cut it as a valid vet trip, nut now I've been given extra hours to stroke her and try to comfort her. In my experience vets and their nursing staff are always sympathetic - they know what the birds mean to us.

[Egluntyne]

Any update shalloran?

[shalloran]

Hi Everyone,

 

Apologies for the delay in getting back. Unfortunately, Cagney had to be put to sleep this morning. After having problems with my vet wanting to deal with chickens I found a lovely vet about half an hour away. At first he thought she just had an infection, but further inspection found two tumors, one on her neck and one near her leg. She had lost so much weight in the last few days and he said that there was nothing more to be done. I went there expecting the worst, and although it was very sad I know it was for the best and there was nothing else we could do. I feel some comfort in knowing she had a great few last days being pampered with nice food and lots of TLC.

 

On the way home we bought Blanche so that Lacey (our other hen) didn't get lonely. She had been pining a bit. Lacey is showing her who is boss, but I think they will be okay. I know a lot of people say they don't have pets because it is so sad when they pass away, but it can't outweigh the happiness they give us when they are around.

 

Thanks everyone for your advice. Much appreciated!

[Daphne]

I'm very sorry that you lost Cagney but I'm very glad you have found another girl You sound as though you have the balance about this chicken keeping business about right. Enjoy the fun times ahead!

[Plum]

So sorry you lost your girl. Something we all dread but as you say you have to remember all the joy they give you.

Welcome to Blanche I hope it all goes well.

[Egluntyne]

Sorry to hear the news.