Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[1920bunny]

Hello everyone

I am new to chicken keeeping and have 3 lovely pekin girls I have had who are now 14 weeks old .I have only just introduced them into their outdoor coop and run due to the awful waether.

Two days ago, my little lavender splash girl started limping as soon as I put her in the pen. She was fine in the indoor run, just hopped out of the carrier and seemed to land a bit funny, then limped off holding her leg up occasionally, but seeming totally unconcerned and other wise as normal. She has always seemed a lot less confident on her legs than other 2, struggling to get doen the very low rampin the indoor run, her legs sliding from under her and generally not as quick on her feet. I thought she might have strained it, so watched her carefully and she is eating, drinking, behaving as normal, but still seeming to pull her leg up. Today I really felt her leg carefully, and it feels like 1 or 2 of her toes aren't working-they don't seem to push back or curl round my fingers. Would appreciate any thoughts or advice. I am happy for her to manage as she is, as long as she isn't in pain. Am very worried about vet telling me she is not viable and should be put to sleep if she is otherwise ok. Has anyone else had a problem like this? Or any clues as to what it might be. She definitely has not had a big fall or anything like that, but worried now I think her toes feel funny and want to do the best for her.

[Egghead68]

I would take her to a vet who knows about chickens. She might be in pain and need painkillers.

[dance in the dark]

I had a bluebelle hybrid who spend a couple of days doing this kind of thing, but then suddenly she was fine. If you are concerned about her being in pain you could take her to the vet, but chances are she will be fine in a couple of days, she may just have jarred he leg slightly. There isn't any other visible damage is there?

[1920bunny]

Hello thanks for replying. No, there is no obvious damage and no heat I can find, but I'm not an expert. Today she is out in the run with the others,eating well, but sitting down quite a lot and lifting her leg awkwardly when she walks. have read on other forums that if it is a sprain or strain it can take quite a while to heal. if she was siting in a heap and not eating I would ring a vet, but I know any visit is likely to be really really stressful for her, so am just hoping it might improve. I worry about her such a lot and it is just nice to be able to talk to other people, especially as I am new to all this.

[dance in the dark]

I would definitely give her a few days and see if she sorts herself out. If she is eating and trying to walk around it doesn't sounds like she is too stressed about it, so I'd let her get one.

[The Dogmother]

Pekins are susceptible to foot problems and the dwarfing gene which causes their very short legs can cause arthritis in the hip joints later in life as well. It's hard to tell what's wrong with your girl without examining her but I'd take her to a chicken-savvy vet soonest if you can.

[Mrs Potts]

Hello.

 

Sorry to hear about this. Sometimes they do develop limps but waiting a day or two can help and if they can eat/drink, observing them for a while might be best.

 

Alys had a very bad limp and could barely stand as a result of first integrated FR session with Gracie Grump, who lived separately. She could eat/drink, just not walk. So, I did things that would not stress her leg (repositioned food and water right outside Classic/took out small set of bars from inside, so she could sleep on the floor/made her a very low perch, about two inches off the ground). It took about six days for her to totally stop limping but it worked. So if your pekin is still eating/drinking, just maybe help her along a bit with the practicalities whilst you wait and see?

 

Hope it all goes well.

 

Mrs Potts

[Mrs Potts]

PS I have hens, not pekins, so this is general advice, not specialised pekin advice!

[1920bunny]

Thanks so much for replying. i'm afraid the worst thng has happened and my pekin has had to be euthanased at the vets, as the limp turned into wobbly legs, then paralysis and loss of balance and Mareks was diagnosed. I am now sick with fear that my other 2 lovely healthy seeming girls will develop this horrible disease, and of course I can have no more birds-so goodness know what will do if one girl is left on her own, as I realise they are flock animals. Has anyone else had experience of Mareks?Prognosis for my remaining 2 birds is obviously what most concerns me.

[The Dogmother]

I wouldn't worry too much about them catching it, they would have shown symptoms by now. Marek's can only be diagnosed accurately by post mortem; it is a Herpes virus and lies dormant in most flocks with birds only succumbing if their immune system is compromised by some other factor such as a severe moult, stress or illness.

 

Of course you can buy in other birds, just so long as you don't sell any of your birds or their offspring, just take care to keep them healthy and unstressed. A good poultry tonic in the water every now and then will help to keep them tidy.

 

I had a bird die very suddenly of Marek's many years ago, it was diagnosed by PM (which I watched) and my vet, who is one of the leading poultry vets in the UK, explained the disease and its implications to me.

[1920bunny]

Thanks so much for replying, it has made me feel a little more hopeful. I read so much information on the internet and it all seemed so dire, so you speaking from actual eperience is really helpful.Will keep my fingers crossed with my other two birds and would really appreciate any information from anyone else who has experienced mareks in their birds.

[The Dogmother]

No worries.

 

I'd just clear all their housing and run out, disinfect the drinker/feeder with Virkon, sprinkle the run with Stalosan or another powdered disinfectant before putting fresh bedding in. Give the coop a good clean too... it'll make you feel better if nothing else

[1920bunny]

Thanks for the advice as I am so worried about the 2 I have left becoming ill. Also,I don't want to be irresposible and buy birds to expose them to my girls who may now have or carry Mareks.Do you think it would be right to sterilise as best I can my coop and run with Virkon and Stalosan? Then wait till my other girls are mature, as they are still only 14 weeks,to see if they show any symptoms? Was thinking I would have to try and find pekins who have been vaccinated for Mareks , but would this be the right thing to do?As I said any advice is so useful, especially about whether or not to have more birds eventually, as I am so new to this and trying to do the right thing for my 2 that I have left.

[The Dogmother]

Do give it all a good clean although the virus is usually present 'in the background' of most flocks anyway. Most birds should either have a natural immunity to it or be healthy enough to shrug it off with very few symptoms.

 

I waited about 6 months before getting new birds after the Marek's death that I had and haven't had any problems since; it's your choice but don't let it put you off after that unlucky death.