5 yo hen walking like Frankenstein with her feet turned in

[Virginiachickens]

Hi! I am sure this is on this site somewhere but our hen that we think is 5 has started to walk with her feet turned in and VERY stiffly like Frankenstein, I am sure this is arthritis but need advice on what to give her, etc. Thank you!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hi! I am sure this is on this site somewhere but our hen that we think is 5 has started to walk with her feet turned in and VERY stiffly like Frankenstein, I am sure this is arthritis but need advice on what to give her, etc. Thank you!

A video of her walking about would be helpful.

Upload video to YouTube and provide a link.

Photos of her standing up would be good too, front and back showing the position of the legs.

Does she lay eggs?
What do you feed?

 

[Virginiachickens]

Ok thank you, I am going to try to get this done tomorrow! Other things we notice: her backside is always pointing to the ground now versus more upright like normal hens, she does not scratch anymore at all, she sleeps ALOT, and seems to have trouble moving in general.

 

[Virginiachickens]

She doesn't lay eggs that I am aware of, has not for at least a few months, and she gets regular Layer Feed Crumbles from Tractor Supply with corn and black sunflower seeds mixed in plus treats from us

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Ok thank you, I am going to try to get this done tomorrow! Other things we notice: her backside is always pointing to the ground now versus more upright like normal hens, she does not scratch anymore at all, she sleeps ALOT, and seems to have trouble moving in general.

She doesn't lay eggs that I am aware of, has not for at least a few months, and she gets regular Layer Feed Crumbles from Tractor Supply with corn and black sunflower seeds mixed in plus treats from us

She may be having trouble expelling some material like Lash Egg or having issues with another reproductive disorder.

I'd try giving Extra Calcium for a week just to see if she passes anything and improves. It may not help at all.
I'd give Calcium Citrate+D3 once daily. Just pull down on her wattles and pop the tablet into the beak, let her swallow.

Also would be good to give her a look over for lice/mites, see that her crop is emptying and just in case for any bruising/signs of injury. See that poop is not sticking to her bottom and that's not irritation to the vent or a wound that may have Flystrike near or under the vent.

 

[nuthatched]

She doesn't lay eggs that I am aware of, has not for at least a few months, and she gets regular Layer Feed Crumbles from Tractor Supply with corn and black sunflower seeds mixed in plus treats from us

Mixing corn and sunflower seeds into the feed create healtg issues for chickens, too much fat and carbs. Those are treats, 1 tbs per bird, once or twice a week, per bird is the most you want to treat your birds with.

 

[Virginiachickens]

Oh dear OK. We must be giving too much corn and seeds. She does have mites, I just gave her a bath and then was covered myself. I will do the calcium this week. What should I do about mites?

 

[Virginiachickens]

Also I do not know what it means to make sure her crop is emptying but I will look in my book for help.

 

[Eggcessive]

Also I do not know what it means to make sure her crop is emptying but I will look in my book for help.

The crop is where food and water are stored before moving on during digestion to the crop and intestines. The crop is nirmally empty in early morning after the chickens god with pout food and water all night long. Then they will start filling up during the day as they eat and drink. At bedtime they should normally full and slightly firm, but not overly large and not puffy. Crop disorders can be common in adult chickens. Practicing feeling their crops can be helpful in case a problem develops. Here is a good article about crops and what to look for:
https://the-chicken-chick.com/chicken-anatomy-crop-impacted-crop-sour/

 

[Virginiachickens]