In May we took our mature hens to stay at our lake place and purchased five baby chicks at the store to restart our flock at home in the city.
All was fine at first. They grew indoors, all were happy and healthy. When they were big enough I moved them outside. After they were outside for a couple weeks I noticed one of them had a limp. The more I studied her, I realized she was not putting any weight on one leg, just using it to balance and hobbling to and fro. After another week I inspected her closer. The knee joint seemed larger than the other. Still being an adolescent I was hoping she would outgrow it.
Fast forward and they are now all laying eggs, but she is still limping about. She doesn't come out to free range when I let them.
The last few days when I would go out in the morning with treats, I noticed four were running around the coop, and she was in a corner with her head buried under a ledge. Clearly she is now being picked on and can't get away so she has to hide.
Do I segregate her, knowing that it would probably be permanent? Do I leave her in the coop hoping that things work themselves out over time? I am losing hope that the leg will heal.
All was fine at first. They grew indoors, all were happy and healthy. When they were big enough I moved them outside. After they were outside for a couple weeks I noticed one of them had a limp. The more I studied her, I realized she was not putting any weight on one leg, just using it to balance and hobbling to and fro. After another week I inspected her closer. The knee joint seemed larger than the other. Still being an adolescent I was hoping she would outgrow it.
Fast forward and they are now all laying eggs, but she is still limping about. She doesn't come out to free range when I let them.
The last few days when I would go out in the morning with treats, I noticed four were running around the coop, and she was in a corner with her head buried under a ledge. Clearly she is now being picked on and can't get away so she has to hide.
Do I segregate her, knowing that it would probably be permanent? Do I leave her in the coop hoping that things work themselves out over time? I am losing hope that the leg will heal.