Strained/Sprained Cockerel Leg

[Mimi13]

My 10 week old Welsummer cockerel is limping and has been for approximately one week. As soon as I noticed the limp I looked at his feet/legs to make sure there were no cuts, scrapes, abrasions, bumblefoot, etc. There was nothing showing outwardly. Over the course of the week, I have checked him two more times. Comparing each leg visually, I cannot detect any swelling or abnormalities.

Yesterday, after I inspected his legs I wrapped my hand around each leg several times. I noticed a slight difference in temperature around his hock/ankle. The leg he favors did seem a bit warmer to me around that joint.

I am positive the leg is not broken or fractured. My question is what type ailments can be present in a chicken’s leg and where exactly would it be located? I figured they could have sprains and strains like humans, but I thought that chickens might possibly have additional leg problems given their bones are a bit different.

Also, I wouldn’t think he had any type of nutritional deficiency causing this limp. He eats Purina Medicated Chick Starter, as does the rest of his
23 flock mates.

He is my top cockerel, at this point in time, and I hope it remains that way. He is still able to “spar” with the others and quickly put them in their place. I have a total of five cockerels right now, and will be selectively culling two of them in five more weeks.
Any help is much appreciated.

 

[Mimi13]

Well, my little 11.5 week old cockerel is limping even worse than he was. Still no external signs of injury. It is his left leg that he greatly favors.
I purchased him with great anticipation of breeding him with my blue egg layers to hatch my own Olive Eggers; however, with this severe limp, if it is chronic, I am not certain he will even be able to mate - and, if he does, could the leg problem be genetic?
I can now see that he may be falling a bit behind in being the top roo, which really breaks my heart. He, along with my SLW, were my chosen two, but I can slowly see the “accidental roos” climbing the ladder.
In all likelihood I don’t see him actually being able to mate, or mate well, for that matter. If this leg problem is genetic, I will just have to chalk this one up to fate, which is a hard one for me to swallow. He is so well mannered and has the easy going attitude and personality that I was hoping to find.
However, if there is anything I can do for him, that is what I want. I have handled him very minimally as not to disturb the rooster/handler respect, but I can and will certainly do whatever is necessary for his wellbeing.
I have posted a few pictures of him, although not the best, so you can see him and his legs.
Thank you greatly for taking time to review his problem.

My little Welsummer roo resting on a warm, summer morning, right smack dab in the middle!

 

[Hen Pen Jem]

Greetings Mimi’s 13,

It is not uncommon for young cockerels to injure their legs, from sparring, jumping off high places, or even just a twist from running. Your chicken's legs don't look inflamed.

A dose of poultry vitamins with iron will help if there is injury. If they are eating well, B12 is not needed.

The sprain will heal faster, if you stabilize it.

First apply some Arnica cream to the sprained area, I use "The Rub - Arnica Cream". If you can't get any of this, that's fine. You can also soak the legs in a tub of water with 1 cup of Epsom Salt, for 10 minutes. Dry thoroughly, then, stabilize the leg. Wrap a soft piece of gauze or clean cloth around the joint. Next, wrap some self stick vet wrap, but not too tight. You don't want to restrict blood flow. This will also add some compression to the leg, which will make the bird more comfortable.

It can take from 2 to 3 weeks for a bad sprain to heal, more or less.

There are several diseases that can cause inflammation of the leg joints, too. Symptoms are very swollen leg and/or toe joints, sometimes very hot to the touch, cream or yellow deposits under the skin, etc.

But your cockerels are so young, I think it is more likely they were just rough housing and sustained injury.

I would treat for that first, but if they start to severely limp, have a fever, sit on their hocks, it could be disease.

I've had bad sprains happen to cockerels, older roosters, and even hens.

These are my thoughts on your cockerel's leg issues. I hope I have been helpful.

God Bless

 

[Mimi13]

Greetings Mimi’s 13,

It is not uncommon for young cockerels to injure their legs, from sparring, jumping off high places, or even just a twist from running. Your chicken's legs don't look inflamed.

A dose of poultry vitamins with iron will help if there is injury. If they are eating well, B12 is not needed.

The sprain will heal faster, if you stabilize it.

First apply some Arnica cream to the sprained area, I use "The Rub - Arnica Cream". If you can't get any of this, that's fine. You can also soak the legs in a tub of water with 1 cup of Epsom Salt, for 10 minutes. Dry thoroughly, then, stabilize the leg. Wrap a soft piece of gauze or clean cloth around the joint. Next, wrap some self stick vet wrap, but not too tight. You don't want to restrict blood flow. This will also add some compression to the leg, which will make the bird more comfortable.

It can take from 2 to 3 weeks for a bad sprain to heal, more or less.

There are several diseases that can cause inflammation of the leg joints, too. Symptoms are very swollen leg and/or toe joints, sometimes very hot to the touch, cream or yellow deposits under the skin, etc.

But your cockerels are so young, I think it is more likely they were just rough housing and sustained injury.

I would treat for that first, but if they start to severely limp, have a fever, sit on their hocks, it could be disease.

I've had bad sprains happen to cockerels, older roosters, and even hens.

These are my thoughts on your cockerel's leg issues. I hope I have been helpful.

God Bless

Thank you very very much for your reply. I do not have any of the Arnica cream you mentioned. In fact I’ve never heard of it. Is this a poultry item or one that can be found in a pharmacy? If in a pharmacy, is there another name I could look for or could I look for an equivalent? I just got back from Wally World with some Epsom salt. My son used all I had on one of the horses and left me without.

I am about to go soak his leg for a bit. I hope Mr. Roo is as interested in some one on one time with his old lady keeper as I am with my new buckaroo! Yeah, I’ll bet NOT. Anyway, I will give him a few special treats to hopefully sway his mind.

Thank you kindly, again. I appreciate your response. Hopefully soaking his foot/leg will work since I don’t have the cream. However, I will be looking for some.

 

[Mimi13]

I just googled the cream and see that Walmart carries it. I will have my husband pick some up on his way home. Who knew? Thanks!

 

[Hen Pen Jem]

I am sorry, I didn't clarify about the Arnica cream.

It is an herbal people cream. All natural, and just about the best cream, I have ever used. Not only for my family, but the animals too. Strains, sprains, bruises and swellings, just melt away with this soothing, but powerful cream.

I purchase mine online at Amazon, or at a Health store, in another town. I have a tube for me, my son, and one for the chickens. Here is what it looks like.

 

[Mimi13]

I soaked his feet in an Easter basket. Cute, huh?
He was extremely well behaved and sat very calmly for 10 minutes or more. Afterward, he plopped down right beside me as if to tell me thank you. I will soak his leg again before roosting time and put the cream and the wrap on him for the night. Hopefully there will be no picking at it tonight and he’ll feel a bit better in the morning. After a few days of this, I certainly hope he is all better. So far he seems to be as sweet as I hoped he would.
Thanks for your help.

 

[Hen Pen Jem]