Hen can't walk

mesa123 · #1 05/11/11, 01:41 PM

I have a flock of about seventeen free-range Golden Comet hens (about two years old) and three roosters (various ages). One hen started limping about two weeks ago. It wasn't terribly bad and at the time I thought maybe a goat had stepped on her foot. It has progressively gotten worse. I noticed she was no longer able to perch up in the rafters with the other birds, so I started putting her up for the night in a stall and releasing her again during the day to forage. THEN I noticed our big rooster on her and realized that he was probably the problem.

So, she's been isolated all by herself in a cage for a week. She's not any better. She eats and drinks like normal, and can stand normally, but when she tries to move around, she just falls onto the sides of the cage.

I've examined her and moved her legs and feet all around. I can't find any evidence of any injuries, broken bones, hot spots, nothing.

I don't know what else I can do for her. Any suggestions?

Ernie · #2 05/11/11, 01:47 PM

How old is she?

I typically give an injured hen about 3 days to recover and if they're not better in that time I'll put them down.

I doubt the rooster was the problem unless she had some inherent weakness in her (brittle bones, hip problems, etc.) A hen squats down on the ground when mating so they aren't supporting the weight of both. Plus, if he was the problem you'd have about 17 other hurt hens.

Cyngbaeld · #3 05/11/11, 02:05 PM

Very likely Mareks disease. If she isn't better by now, it would be best to cull her. She is shedding virus in her feathers and dander.

mesa123 · #4 05/11/11, 03:34 PM

My hen is two years old.

I've suspected Mareks disease before. I had a little chick over the winter that I thought had Mareks, but the vet said no, it was a neurological condition resulting from a fall the day the chick was born.

I've just brought in six new chicks. Although the brooder was sanitized with Tektrol, one of the little ones is showing symptoms similar to the other chick.

Now coupled with this hen, I'm suspecting Mareks even after my vet said no.

The chicks were already a week old when I got them and as I said, this hen is over two, so is there any hope in saving the hen or the chicks? Or should I cull them all?

Cyngbaeld · #5 05/11/11, 07:37 PM

Cull the hen. Not much hope there. I'd give all the chicks some chopped raw liver. They are a bit young for Mareks. I wouldn't cull any birds that aren't sick, in any case. They may be more resistant to it. I see Mareks once in a while in an isolated case or two, but I'm breeding for resistance.