Unsecure chicken perches

[chickinboy]

Maggy has just finished her moult and whilst all the others, who moulted after her have started laying again, Mags hasn't, and has instead got something up with her.

 

Her tail is down, and she can't walk. I keep finding her looking like she's fallen over. She's been like it for ten days now. She's been inside since it started, so she's warm, and she's still eating and drinking plently. Trying to keep the water as close to her as possible, as she falls over when trying to get up and drink.

 

No sign of breakages in the legs, and she doesn't mind them being touched. Also had a warm bath. Have put off going to the vets so far, as I figured it was either a sprain, or an egg pressing on a nerve, as her appitite is still good - but I think it's been too long now.

 

She's wormed etc.

 

No poos at all for a while, but now getting a few normal ones. No curry poos though, which is unusual.

 

Had one just like this before, and it turned out there was a horrendous egg on the way, and once it was out she was fine. All the symptoms are exactly the same, but it's taking way longer. Is it common to have trouble with the first egg after moulting?

 

The only other thing I've noticed, is that her nails are really long - she's not as much of an active scratcher as the others, but gets plenty of FR time. Can you trim them? Could that cause problems with balance?

 

Any ideas?

[Patricia W]

From your description, I'd pop her along to the vet. She sounds beyond home remedies

[oneyolktoanother]

the same thing happened to one of our hens pip, she had a crop problem and when she had started to get better she went off her legs, i took her to the vets and they did'net know what was wrong and prepared me for the worst but all of a sudden she was up and fine, after that they said it could of been a calicum problem. I would pop her to the vets she might need antibiotics, please let us know how she gets on

[Plum]

The vet can give a calcium injection to stimulate her to pass an egg if its that. Weakness in legs can also be caused by calcium or vitamin deficiency helped by supplements. Vet will advise.

[chickinboy]

Thanks for all your replies.

 

Just trying to get a vet appointment now. She's still okay-ish, eating and drinking lots - got Zolcal-D in the water and limestone flour in the food, which she's devouring.

 

Will let you know...