Hello, we just got a new batch of chickens and they threw in an extra for free, so unsure of the breed of this one. She is 8 weeks old, we’ve had her 2 weeks, and she is hesitant to walk on her right leg for the past week or so. She lays down most of the day. She is able to stand, has full range of motion of the leg, no sores on the leg or foot, and is able to walk, but much prefers to just lay down. Today she seems worse, and is laying with her leg sticking out to the side (see picture). I have examined the leg and the hock joint may be slightly larger on the right, but not significantly so. The joint feels a little warm, but no redness or wounds. She does not appear to be bothered by me touching the leg, or moving it through its range of motion. She only seems bothered when I try to get her to walk on the leg, and will usually only take a step or two before sitting down. I have examined the tendon and it doesn’t appear to be slipped out of its groove; I can follow it all the way up into the joint.
She did have a wound on her back (now healed) where one of our older chickens pecked her, so I am assuming she sustained some sort of injury while being introduced to our existing flock, but again, no visual evidence of injury of the leg.
Any diagnostic insights and, more importantly, treatment ideas are greatly appreciated!
She did have a wound on her back (now healed) where one of our older chickens pecked her, so I am assuming she sustained some sort of injury while being introduced to our existing flock, but again, no visual evidence of injury of the leg.
Any diagnostic insights and, more importantly, treatment ideas are greatly appreciated!
