4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[Guest]

About just under a month ago Myrtle suddenly became very out of character, withdrawn, not walking and she looked in pain, so we took her to the vets. Although they could not work out what was exactly the problem through giving her anti-biotics, anti-worming tablets etc she has almost fully recovered apart from she is not walking still. Personality-wise she is back to normal, she has a bright comb, she's talking we just can't work out why she cannot walk.

We have checked her for everything we can think of, we've had chicken-knowledgeable friends over we just can't work out what the problem is.

Any suggestions would be great,

[Cooks]

is she still laying?

[Guest]

No she hasn't laid for at least a month now.

[Cooks]

I am no expert with these things at all, but I felt that was one question people on here would want to know if they were helping you. Someone will come along soon to help!

[theherd123]

Did the vet mention anything about a breakdown in the messages being sent from the brain to her legs?

 

How is she managing if she cant walk? Does she still get on with the other chooks?

[abwsco]

Mindy, one of our non-laying exbatts couldn't stand or walk. Our vet gave us metacam for her. If I remember rightly they can get a trapped nerve somewhere in the egg laying department which causes it. Mindy lived in the house with us for 13 days and then went back out with the rest of the flock when she could hop around.

[Hen Watch]

Have to say I have no idea. But I remembered this was in FAQ about limping chickens and increasing their calcium intake.

 

viewtopic.php?f=41&t=19828&view=unread#unread

[Guest]

I forgot to write about her not laying, thanks for reminding me Cookie monster

The vet did mention about a calcium deficency especially as she is still growing some new feathers so we have given her grit but it hasn't really helped much.

Although I am quite concered about her I am reassuered by the fact that she seems happy she can sit outside in the sun and preen herself and she still gets on well with Ginger.

We have thought that maybe it is a nuerological problem rather than a physical one because if it is I don't really know of much we can do to get her mobility back.

We started yesterday giving her cod liver oil, which was suggested by a friend, and I suppose will be a bit like metacam.

I think I've answered all the queries and thank you for your suggestions,

[sandyhas3chucks]

metacam is quite strong and an anti inflammatory, cod liver oil different, you could try some limestone flour or a product like zolcalD a calcium supplement if it is a deficiency.

[Chooks Aloud]

My Dolly has had a limp getting on for a year now, she's not laying, vet didn't really know what was wrong - suggested putting her down. I brought her home and a year later she is still enjoying life - if not getting around like she used to. She enjoys cuddles and food/treats. I tried everything I could but nothing has made her leg good again. She just gets on with it. Little love.

 

Karen

[Egluntyne]

we have given her grit but it hasn't really helped much.

 

What sort of grit was it? Plain flint grit wouldn't help, but the mixed poultry grit with bits of sea shell would make a difference....eventually.

 

I would do as sandy suggests and give her limestoneflour A desertspoonful to a grub full of pellets) and a dollop of cod liver oil for good measure, to assist with the absorption, or the ZolcalD which is easily added to the drinking water.

[sandyhas3chucks]

This is part of a sticky, I hope Egluntine won't mind the quote it was made Feb 08 and think it is so useful in the understanding. Just got 3 ex bats 2 limping, & 1 can't walk so was having a scout around.these been like it 3 months now, so lets see if anything will help them.

here is the quote

I am always banging on about Limestone Flour as other Omleteers will confirm....get some from an equestrian supplier or Ebay and stir a scoopful into their pellets.

 

My vet told me that it is easy to get calcium into a hen via pellets and Poultry Grit....but it is not always easy to get calcium from the hen into the bloodstream.

 

She suggested Limestone Flour as it is pure calcium carbonate and very easily absorbed.

 

Forming shells and pushing eggs out require calcium, and if they don't get enough, they leech it out of their bones and can end up with fractures.