Sudden Loss of power in Leg

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by Richard
(Worcestershire, UK)

Question:

6 month old Barnevelde hen, one of our 3 free-range, penned in 300 square meters with electric netting, with free access to water and layers' pellets.

Recently cured of being broody and laying again most days. Suddenly this morning she became unable to walk because one leg was very weak.

Palpation of each limb revealed no tenderness or deformity, joint mobility seemed normal. Other leg and wings have normal power. No obvious back injury, no skin wounds, both eyes seem equal and normal.

She has been able to move short distances but with great difficulty, the weak leg sticking out in front of her. She is not obviously in pain, even when moving.

Answer:
On the chance that she was injured somehow, possibly by the electric fence, you might try 25 mg Aspirin per pound of body weight, per day. This could be the beginnings of a form of Marek's disease that causes paralysis.

There is no cure and it's highly contagious. She should be isolated from the flock until you can determine if she is getting better or worse.

An injury will probably improve quickly and Marek's will soon affect her other leg, if that is the problem. Other than that, I'm unsure what the actual problem is, but these two would seem most likely.

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