[tomandbarbara]

Hi everyone, looking for a little bit of advice. I have 11 hybrid layers, all aged between 1 year and 18 months old. I noticed yesterday that one of them keeps laying down- first thought she was just enjoying the sun, then realised she was reluctant to get back up again. No obvious signs of illness, no respiratory symptoms, eyes bright, eating and drinking, clean vent, normal poo. She is 1 year old and seems able to walk short distances then just flops down. She can weight bear and walk, no sign of trauma, but when down, seems to lol a bit to right side and doesn't jump up when we go to her- could this be Mareks disease?? we have seperated her from the rest, any other advice ?? Thanks you in advance!!
Been watching her this afternoon and have noticed just before she drops her right wing stretches down first- any ideas? i fear for the worst!! 

[Aunt Sally]

If they are hybrid layers and you got them POL from a big supplier they will probably have been vaccinated against Marek's - but don't rule it out yet.

Keep her separated from the others and feed her on a fairly high level of calcium.  Immediatly you can give her some Bio yogurt which has calcium and phosporous, phosphorous is needed for calcium absorption.  Give her some cod liver oil for the Vit D3 which is also needed for calcium absorption.

If she doesn't begin to recover or gets worse within a couple of days I would get a professional opinion.

[tomandbarbara]

thanks for your help, i'll give it at try!!

[traacyken]

hi ine just looked it up never heard of the disease before hope all goes well for you and it turns out to be something easily solved

[Aunt Sally]

If she responds to the yopgurt then give her some crushed limestone (from a horsey shop).

[tomandbarbara]

HI, Aunt Sally, you are a GENIUS!!! Thank you, she is much much better today, has been preening and pottering about the back garden like she owns the place!! Slowly started to improve yesterday , so we kept on with the yogurt and cod liver oil and put  garlic in her water. Continued with yogurt and cod liver oil mixed into into her pellets today, not 100 % yet and no eggs for last 2days, but its looking rosy !! 

[Aunt Sally]

Great result T&B.  She was obviously very short of calcium.

My advice now would be to get some Limestone flour from the horsey suppliers and some Poultry spice spice and add a little of each and some cod liver oil to her feed each day until she is laying eggs with strong shell and she seems fit and well in herself.

Good on you for asking the question

[compostqueen]

My girl had the same thing and the advice I got from here was spot on - calcium deficiency. Alarming though when your girl goes off her legs.

[Aunt Sally]

I love it when girls get well gain

[compostqueen]

Me too   

My off-her-legs moulty bird is now fully feathered and back on her feet, and her feathers gleam in the sunshine