[Chrissugden]

Hi there,

I currently have 6 Sussex light free range chickens.  We noticed this weekend that one of them could not stand properly, seemed one of her legs was not working so she'd basically fall sideways all the time not being able to really walk properly.  We dispatched said chicken thinking that she had been bitten by something, we Live in Cape Town SA so snakes about.  I have just got home from work today and noticed our family favorite 'Roxy' is starting to have the same symptoms.  We do have a lot of Guinea Fowl coming into the garden.  Starting to think it could be some form of disease.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[carolbriar]

Firstly, welcome to the forum and sorry to hear about your sick chickens.  I can't really help but I know the following questions will assist in making any sort of suggestions as to what it could be.
How old are your hens?  If you feel under the sick hens wing is it hotter than your other hens?  Is she eating/drinking normally? 
I am sure someone with more experience will be along with some suggestions soon.
In the meantime, are you able to quarantine the sick chicken? 
Hope she gets better soon.

[Roseberry]

Hello,

Just a thought...  Could they be too fat and battling to walk like broilers become?  I recently culled all my Light Sussex and towards the end I called them the fat tannies and did believe that their name was a misnomer!

[Chrissugden]

Hi Guys,

thanks for the replies so far.  Have already quarantined 'Roxy'.  As for to fat no they are all in stunning shape, completely free range over an acre.  We only feed a small amount of grain at the end of each day, other than that they forage all day.

[joyfull]

how old are they? besides being off her legs does she have a temperature? what colour is her comb, is she still laying, are her eyes clear and bright, have they been wormed, have they had any innoculations? Have any poisons been used nearby to kill rodents etc? as they forage are there any poisoness plants that they can get to? Is she sniffly or does she have a rattly chest?
Sorry for such a lot of questions but we would really need more details.

[Chrissugden]

She is about 4 years old, the one we dispatched at the weekend was about 18 months.  Don't think she is still laying, being free range they lay in bushes and trees etc so never really know.  They have not been wormed or innoculated.  Eyes, temperature, breathing and crop all ok.  No poisons around and we have lived on the property for 2 years now and had no problems with any other chickens so suspect it's not any poisonous plants.

[Jeanette]

Personaly i would worm them.

[Chrissugden]

I have taken her to the vet this morning and she has given her a whole assortment of things.  They are going to keep her in overnight so fingers crossed.  I'll keep you all posted.

Thanks for the help

[carolbriar]

How is your sick chicken getting on?  Hope she is ok.