Limping chicken

Wyorp Rock said:

If it seems to be getting worse, having it looked at is a good idea.

A sprain/leg injury I have found takes a couple of weeks.  When my BO hurt her leg, I "isolated" her in a large wire kennel and placed it in the run. She was still with the flock, I was just restricting her activity. Chickens try to "keep up" even when in pain, so I was afraid she would injure herself further.  I let her have her own food water to the amazement of the Barred Rocks , everyone wanted into the cage with her.  I would let her out for a while before roosting so she could move around, scratch a bit and go to "bed" with the others.  Every morning, I would take her from the roost and place her back in the kennel.  I did get in a hurry  and let her out after a few days thinking she was healed up (no limping), she was very active that day and by night was limping again, so she had a much longer stay kenneled. Now she is fine.  I think she actually enjoyed all the attention.

Since you have just the 2 girls, I think it would be hard on them both if you isolated her, they really look like they stick together.  You may be able to get creative and somehow lessen her activity level for a few days to see if it helps. 

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henmania said:

I did think about keeping them in the pen instead of letting them free range so she wouldn't walk much but they seem to rebel and don't drink or eat when they're in there and they're always standing by the door looking to see when they'll be let out. (Smart little things)

I have a day off on Wednesday so I'll try get it looked at then and hopefully it's not bad news.

Thanks for the help. I'll keep you posted

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Wyorp Rock said:

Oh, they can be pitiful when they want to be.

Confining them to their pen may help, but you will need to give them something to stay busy.  Depends on what yours like.  I hang fruit or bundles of kale and rake up a wheelbarrow full of pine needles and leaves to occupy mine, but this is the norm for them and they expect it because I don't free range.

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henmania said:

Mine can be as stubborn as a mule. I've hanged things in there pen before like a carrot or corn on the cob or grapes but they just stand next to it and look at me. I swear in the mornings I can just tell from their look that they're thinking "hurry up peasant, open the doors" lol.

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Wyorp Rock said:

  Come do my bidding!

Favorite things for hanging in my flock is kale and apple.  It's so funny when you take something different, you get expression like "REALLY???!!!!  This is what we all lined up at the door for?"

I hope your girl is much better this morning.

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