- Apr 11, 2012
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Our 9 month old Dixie just started limping this afternoon. She is favoring her left leg a bit- not terribly, but enough to be noticed. We checked for Bumblefoot and do not see any evidence of that. We checked all up and down her legs and toes and everything seemed OK and she didn't seem distressed by us doing this, or when we did the vaseline on her comb. She did walk around the yard for a while, doing her usual thing, just has the limp. Our other two girls seem fine.
They have been in the coop more than usual the past couple of days because of the weather. They were going in and out of the coop to the run some, but very little in the yard because of the snow and ice. This morning, they finally wanted to walk around the yard, so did for a bit- I guess it is possible she slipped this morning while they were out and I was cleaning and getting fresh food and water, etc before we went to school/work and I didn't notice when we put them back in the run, although we are usually pretty observant.
I have read a lot of threads and just don't know what to do. The girls have a very secure coop and run. When we are here they are in the yard. I don't really have a way to separate her outside where I would feel that she would be safe from predators.
We have a metal dog crate that we could use inside if it was absolutely necessary, but I don't know if being inside where it is much warmer would negatively affect her when she went back outside. Or if she would be stressed being in the crate? We might be able to put the crate in the shed, but again, would be being separated in a strange place stress her out, or is it more important that she be put somewhere where she can't get around as much?
Is there something we should do now? I read about giving her half of an 81mg aspirin tablet in case it is a sprain or strain. Or should we just wait and see? I apologize, this is our first year of having chickens and our first possible injury, and suggestions would be very welcome. Beverly
They have been in the coop more than usual the past couple of days because of the weather. They were going in and out of the coop to the run some, but very little in the yard because of the snow and ice. This morning, they finally wanted to walk around the yard, so did for a bit- I guess it is possible she slipped this morning while they were out and I was cleaning and getting fresh food and water, etc before we went to school/work and I didn't notice when we put them back in the run, although we are usually pretty observant.
I have read a lot of threads and just don't know what to do. The girls have a very secure coop and run. When we are here they are in the yard. I don't really have a way to separate her outside where I would feel that she would be safe from predators.
We have a metal dog crate that we could use inside if it was absolutely necessary, but I don't know if being inside where it is much warmer would negatively affect her when she went back outside. Or if she would be stressed being in the crate? We might be able to put the crate in the shed, but again, would be being separated in a strange place stress her out, or is it more important that she be put somewhere where she can't get around as much?
Is there something we should do now? I read about giving her half of an 81mg aspirin tablet in case it is a sprain or strain. Or should we just wait and see? I apologize, this is our first year of having chickens and our first possible injury, and suggestions would be very welcome. Beverly
