I have a 4-5 year old hen who has taken ill. The main symptom seems to be her legs don't work. Her eyes and nostrils are clear, no weird bumps or discolorations anywhere I can find, feathers look healthy. No wheezing or other respiratory issues that I can discern (hard to say, I've never sat and watched a chicken breathe). No cuts or obvious injury. I noticed yesterday she was roosting on the edge of the nest box in the middle of the day, and making weird little distress noises. I was able to easily pick her up (not normal) and examined her as best I could. I've separated her from the rest of the birds and given her water and food. It does not appear she has touched either. She just sits in a heap with her feathers fluffed out. Seems to have trouble using her legs, I tried to get her to stand or walk but she wasn't having any of it. I guess I'll just keep her as comfortable as possible. She's on my side covered porch so is out of the weather, away from the neighbor dog (who doesn't bother them but still), and I check on her frequently. Any other ideas?

Maybe egg bound
https://www.thehappychickencoo...

Thanks Ronnie, that looks possible. I think I'll skip the poking around part and just give her a warm epsom bath and see if that does anything. If nothing else, she'll get a spa day. I'll report back.

Marek's disease causes paralysis of the legs, but normally they keep eating.

Good luck Deb

Out of epsom salts, but I did have a bath salt mix (mostly epsom salts, sea salt, with some essential oils). She'll be pampered if nothing else. And smell good. Sat her in a 5 gallon bucket for about 1/2 hour and she's now in front of a heat lamp to dry. I'll try again later this afternoon if nothing happens.

She sounds like a lucky girl.

She's looking perkier today but still not really eating/drinking. I tried a scrambled egg mixed with olive oil, she was uninterested but I kind of jammed it on her beak and she ate a little bit. Same with water, if I physically dunk her beak in it she'll drink but I haven't seen her eat or drink on her own.

I hope she gets better

Going into Day 3, Flopsy still can't use her legs. Her appetite is improving and she is drinking water on her own. She's camped out in a plastic laundry basket on a covered side porch so is safe from predators and away from the other hens (in case whatever she has is contagious). I'm bathing her 1-2x daily in epsom water. She has scrambled egg, water, and crumbled feed available. Her noises either seem less distressed or I'm just getting used to them. She is alert with clear eyes. I've poked around online with not great success. Could be a disease or something toxic she ate that needs to work through her system. I guess she will either pull out of it or not. Time will tell.

Flopsy is hanging in. She continues to be alert and eats/drinks on her own (although not a lot). I'm changing her bedding daily and her poos are unremarkable, other than rather smooshed due to her inability to stand up. I'm also laying her on her back and pumping her legs now and then. She very weakly responds to her physical therapy, but still can't support herself. I talked to folks at the feed store and other chicken people, but no one has any particular advise other than keep her comfortable and hope for the best. Not sure how long I'll continue this, she doesn't seem to be in pain (who knows), but it can't be good for her to just sit on her chest all day and night. She was a little peeper in Feb 2013, so is 5 1/2 years old. I suppose she may just be winding down.

I don't think a down chicken is the emergency of a down cow. I think you are doing the right thing.

Well, Flopsy was dead in the laundry basket this morning. I was just about ready to put her back in the main coop as she was eating/drinking well and seemed real perky. Ah well. I did what I could, and she certainly had a pampered final week. She was my oldest hen, the last remaining from my first batch of chicks. RIP ol' gal.

It was just time for her to go. You did what you could.

I'm so sorry! You tried your best. R.I.P. Flopsy.

Aww so sorry Deb

Deb, and R.I.P. Flopsy.