Limping Hen

[jslater14]

Usually our girls free range for about an hour during the day, but we had a busy day so wasn’t able to let them out.

I just went out to the coop to check on the girls and saw that one of them was sleeping in the nesting box (she’s never done this before). I just thought she was being defiant since she’s the bully but when I moved her out, she seemed to have a hard time walking. And then she pooped white liquid. I took her out of the coop into the run and she ate and drank fine, but seemed to be limping. It’s dark so it was hard to really tell or see anything. I sprayed her legs with an anyomicrobial spray and put her back in for the night. I attached what picture we could take in the dark. Any ideas or suggestions?

Comb is red and she’s not showing any signs of being sick (hunched, lethargic, etc)

 

[Debbie292d]

Awe, sorry about your hen.

I'd try putting Poultry Cell in their water in case she sprained her foot or leg somehow. Also, scrambled eggs is a good healthy treat for all of them and has a lot of protein plus other vitamins.

All this would support if there is a muscle strain or sprain issue or other vitamin deficiency going on.

Tomorrow you can assess her better and see if there's anything on the bottoms of her feet, ie. bumblefoot or something else.

 

[GodLovesU]

Have you checked her for bumblefoot?

 

[jslater14]

Have you checked her for bumblefoot?

I honestly don’t know what to look for for that guidance?

We looked at her foot the best we could with a flashlight and didn’t really see anything.

 

[Debbie292d]

I honestly don’t know what to look for for that guidance?

We looked at her foot the best we could with a flashlight and didn’t really see anything.

You'll see a reddish area and sometimes a black scab. If she's got dirty feet, might have to soak them for a few minutes so you can see better.

There are hundreds of articles here about bumblefoot, but here's a good one I read.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/bumblefoot-in-chickens-my-successful-treatment.75244/

 

[jslater14]

You'll see a reddish area and sometimes a black scab. If she's got dirty feet, might have to soak them for a few minutes so you can see better.

There are hundreds of articles here about bumblefoot, but here's a good one I read.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/bumblefoot-in-chickens-my-successful-treatment.75244/

Thank you!! I don’t think she has this, at least didn’t see anything related to it, but I’ll double check in the am when it’s light out.

It seems more like it’s higher up on the leg. She seemed like she couldn’t even extend all the way. And when I just went back to check, she’s sleeping on the ground, so she can’t jump to roost. Poor girl

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I just went out to the coop to check on the girls and saw that one of them was sleeping in the nesting box (she’s never done this before). I just thought she was being defiant since she’s the bully but when I moved her out, she seemed to have a hard time walking. And then she pooped white liquid. I took her out of the coop into the run and she ate and drank fine, but seemed to be limping. It’s dark so it was hard to really tell or see anything. I sprayed her legs with an anyomicrobial spray and put her back in for the night.

When was her last egg?

Photos of her poop?

I'd consider giving her Extra Calcium asap, 1 tablet now, then 1 tablet daily for a week.

You can find Calcium Citrate+D3 at Walmart, CVS, etc. 1 tablet, straight into the beak, let her swallow.

Make sure she's staying hydrated.