farmerjonboy
Hatching
- Oct 17, 2024
- 1
- 0
- 7
Hey everyone, I have a mystic onyx pullet ~6 months old that started limping on her right leg about three weeks ago. She was adopted at ~2 weeks with three other chicks (also mystic onyx, all pullets). After noticing the limp, my partner and I kept her isolated from the others for a week to prevent potential spread of disease and to monitor her condition. Once we determined illness wasn't the cause, we returned her to the flock.
Her condition has slowly improved since then, but she's still walking with a noticeable limp. Initially, she avoided putting much pressure on the foot, and would keep it raised in a clutched position. She's now able to place the foot on the ground, but still keeps it slightly raised so that it isn't laying completely flat. The pullets typically stick together and she follows the flock, but I've noticed that it's difficult for her to keep up with the others at times due to the limp.
We currently have them free ranging in our backyard (it's a fenced enclosure) and they sleep in a small coop at night. Their feed is 20% protein all flock from Nutrena with free choice oyster shells. She's been eating and drinking water regularly. I've been adding vitamin B-complex to their water daily.
My best guess is that she somehow injured her foot, but I have no idea how it happened. My partner and I checked it for bumblefoot, but it doesn't look infected at all. Our next plan of action is to attempt splinting the foot, but I wanted to check here to see if anyone could provide some insight as to how we should proceed. I'll include some photos of her feet and a video showing the limp.
Video:
Right foot (the one with the limp):
Left foot for comparison:
Her condition has slowly improved since then, but she's still walking with a noticeable limp. Initially, she avoided putting much pressure on the foot, and would keep it raised in a clutched position. She's now able to place the foot on the ground, but still keeps it slightly raised so that it isn't laying completely flat. The pullets typically stick together and she follows the flock, but I've noticed that it's difficult for her to keep up with the others at times due to the limp.
We currently have them free ranging in our backyard (it's a fenced enclosure) and they sleep in a small coop at night. Their feed is 20% protein all flock from Nutrena with free choice oyster shells. She's been eating and drinking water regularly. I've been adding vitamin B-complex to their water daily.
My best guess is that she somehow injured her foot, but I have no idea how it happened. My partner and I checked it for bumblefoot, but it doesn't look infected at all. Our next plan of action is to attempt splinting the foot, but I wanted to check here to see if anyone could provide some insight as to how we should proceed. I'll include some photos of her feet and a video showing the limp.
Video:
Right foot (the one with the limp):

Left foot for comparison:
