Lame Guinea Fowl

I have a guinea that is not walking very well, but is drinking and eating fine. She is about 6 months old. She started with a limp and is now hardly walking at all and when she does she holds her wings out for balance. The feathers on her back are ruffled up. I gave her 2 doses of Tylan and that has helped. Any suggestions?

I don't know if I can be much help, but I wanted to respond since you put this out there a couple of days ago. AND welcome as a new egg to BYC!

I'm assuming you checked her leg to see if there was anything broken or if there was an abrasion. Is there any swelling? Do you know if it's the leg or is it the foot? It could be a sprain, pulled tendon, or something she stepped on which might cause soreness on the bottom of the foot.

I have used an Epsom salt water soak when I have identified an injury to the foot - in my guinea Helen's case, it looked like she stepped on a rose thorn. I kept her in and didn't allow her to free range for a few days and then only let her out for a few hours at a time. She still has issues with flair ups depending on how far the flock travels during the day. We call her hop-a-long Helen. She just hangs outside the flock and only travels when she has to.

The ruffled feathers are a bit of a concern and combined with the leg and wing issue could indicate symptoms of a bacterial or viral infection. It's probably not a bad idea to keep her separate if you are able to. That way you can monitor for other things - change in feces, any coughing, sneezing, labored breathing.

One more thought, have you checked her for mites? Scaly mites could cause her to have leg problems.

Good luck and keep us posted... It's always difficult having an injured or sick bird. You just wish they could talk! Instead, we have to play detectives.

Thanks for answering! I have checked her leg, it's not mites, there is no abrasion and I can feel no break. I am wondering if the Tylan is trying to work because I went out the other day to see how she was and when I tried to pick her up she tried to run from me. She is walking some, but only a few steps and then she's sitting again. There has been no other change in feces, no coughing, sneezing. Her appetite is good, drinks fine. I think I will try the Tylan again for 3 days more.

How are things now?