Hen completely off her legs. Please help.

[monkfish]

For the third day now my hen cannot stand or walk (1.3 yrs old) She is on metacam and baytril to cover everything. The vet cannot offer a diagnosis. She is going through a heavy moult. Eating and drinking well. Droppings are good. I'm worried it may be something neurological. Can anyone offer any advise or had similar problems? Thanks in advance

One thing, she's a brahma and has lots of feathers coming through on her feet. Maybe this is what's hindering her walking/standing abilities? I know it's a long shot, but I'm trying to think of everything!

 

[chrismahon]

Sorry to hear that Monkfish. We've had birds go off their legs and sorry to say, despite trying everything for a month (Metacam, physio, treats at a distance) they has to be pts. I'm sure it was neurological, possibly the onset of Lymphoid Lucosis. Bright and eating well and for one day appeared to recover then slipped backwards and could only lie down. We haven't got birds with foot feathers but I would expect the new ones will make her feet sore when moving around.

Fingers crossed for you.

 

[monkfish]

Thanks for your message she's only lying down at the moment. So she's became a house chicken! She's ok on one foot, but her other foot is almost completely flacid. Just worry she might get a bit sore lying down at the time. I remember when I was little, we had a racing pigeon with a broken leg, and my mother hung her up in tights for a couple of weeks in a splint!! May try that! I guess will have to see how she goes. I've been a bit unlucky lately, as I lost a hen a few months ago. These hens are like pampered pets to me, happy to get eggs but just want the to happy and healthy.

 

[foxy]

It does not sound good. It is possible the moult has brought out an underlying diseases which your brahma has been has been infected with. Any bird off their legs without any apparent trauma carrys a poor prognosis I am afraid.

Really sorry

 

[monkfish]

Well I thought it wasn't going to be very good news. But will do everything I can for her. She's not suffering, but I know chickens hide it well. Will just see how she goes. Thanks for you wishes x

 

[foxy]

At the moment I would follow the course of treatment as prescribed by your vet, and review when the antibiotic course is completed. If she is comfortable, hydrated and able to manage food it will do no harm, keep an eye on her bot, especially if she is sat down a lot, the area can quickly become mucky with soft feather breeds and attract flies. I wish you luck with her, it is very difficult they really do get under our skin don't they! I recently lost a 10 year pekin cockerel and was utterly devastated

 

[monkfish]

I'd be heart broken. I have a buff Orpington cockerel, and he's super special. We've had him since he was a day old. So he's very tame he makes the cute little clucking noises that hens make to their chicks to me, brings me a blade of grass/twig and slow climbs on my lap for a good petting session! So my heart definitely goes out to you. I was hoping mine would live as long as yours.

 

[chrismahon]

We have a Buff Orpington cockerel as well Monkfish. His name is Bottom and he lives with us and visits his girls for a few hours every day. Pecks you if he wants a cuddle, gently at first getting harder and more frequent if he gets no response. To say we will be devistated when he goes will be a massive understatement -our lives have revolved around him for the last 5 years. His son is similar natured but he gets terrified when he is taken out of the run he has lived in for over 2 years.