Chicken with Arthritis

[Chick_Crazy]

Hello! I have a 6 year old hen who has been dealing with Arthritis. She broke her leg when she was about 2 or 3 and hasn't really ever fully recovered. She has always had a gimp, but moves around with the flock normally! She eats and drinks, and even hops up on the roost at night. She always has! But as she gets older, I notice that she does lay down once and awhile during the day. She just takes a quick 10 min rest, and then is back with the flock scratching around for bugs like normal! I noticed tonight that she did have a hard time going up the ramp...and she didn't hop up on the roost. She is just laying on the ground. Typically she gets like this once and awhile, and then bounces back. So I'm sure she will be fine...I'm just wondering if there is anything I can do to help her with her arthritis? Maybe an oil or some sort of treatment I could start? I just want to make my old girl as comfortable as possible. She is a very strong and determined hen!

 

[MysteryChicken]

Tart Cherry Extract capsules, may help her joint abit.

I'm not sure if Glucosamine supplements are safe for chickens though, so one of the other experienced emergency chick people can help with that.

 

[townchicks]

My vet has prescribed carprofen for my hen's arthritis. You can give baby aspirin also.

 

[springvalley123]

You can also use meloxicam (metacam), per poultry DVM:

http://www.poultrydvm.com/drugs/meloxicam

I did this for a while with a pullet who was attacked and hurt her hock.

I read about using turmeric, but can't find anything official, just this:

https://citygirlfarming.com/2016/01/12/turmeric-for-your-hens/

(poultry DVM talks about turmeric, but not as an anti inflammatory).

 

[Chick_Crazy]

Thank you for all the responses!