13yr hen possible sprain

[feather16]

I saw her on the ladder to their roost (I’d say she was 1-1 1/2ft high) just jump off and land with her toes bent. Of course she’s been limping since, about 5-7 days. I thought she’d be just sore, so I gave her some time. Well, she’s still limping and while standing she holds it up.

She lets me move her toes (I’ll have to trim her nails soon tho, already getting long without use), she gets more squirmy around her shank (the area between her hock and foot, whatever that is called). Oh, and her entire leg is pretty warm to the touch. No visible redness or swelling. I felt a little past her hock, and it didn’t feel like the heat went past her hock. I don’t see any scab, so I don’t think bumble foot, especially since I saw her jump and land wrong.

She’s eating, drinking fine. No one is bugging her, she can still get up to roost and down. It’s mainly the heat that’s making me a little nervous. I haven’t had any leg issues with my adults, and she’s 13 years old. So any tips would be greatly appreciated <3

 

[bill3607]

Like wow, that is an old girl.

 

[Byrd gal]

Maybe soaking her leg in epson salt bath ?

 

[ChicNmom]

Did you confine her so she could rest it for a couple of days after it happened? It may just take a while especially if it's a sprain.
The epsom salt soak is a good idea. If you just want to soak the lower part of her leg you can put the warm epsom salt solution in a freezer or other sturdy bag. Then put her leg in it and hold it closed around the top of her leg. This is the only way I haven't ended up soaking wet when doing this. Even when they like the soak they get bored and squirmy after a while.


WOW ! 13!!! That's impressive!

 

[bill3607]

Did you confine her so she could rest it for a couple of days after it happened? It may just take a while especially if it's a sprain.
The epsom salt soak is a good idea. If you just want to soak the lower part of her leg you can put the warm epsom salt solution in a freezer or other sturdy bag. Then put her leg in it and hold it closed around the top of her leg. This is the only way I haven't ended up soaking wet when doing this. Even when they like the soak they get bored and squirmy after a while.


WOW ! 13!!! That's impressive!

That is even more than impressive! I mean 13!! Really?!!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

She’s eating, drinking fine. No one is bugging her, she can still get up to roost and down. It’s mainly the heat that’s making me a little nervous. I haven’t had any leg issues with my adults, and she’s 13 years old. So any tips would be greatly appreciated <3

When she limps, the toes are not curling under right?

Soaking may ok weather permitting, but it sounds like she's limiting her activity, she's eating/drinking/able to roost without aid, no other birds are picking on her. I would be inclined to leave her be and see how it goes. I would not isolate her either.

Just my 2¢

 

[feather16]

Wonderful, thank you everyone for your advice! No, toes aren’t curling under when she walks. I will try the epsom salt soak for sure, tomorrow. Appreciate the advice about the zip lock bag, what a great idea!

(Just for the heck of it, adding a photo of my 13yr girls. She’s the one on the right (Shirley). The white lady (Thelma) still lays an egg about every 2-3 months, sweet girl)

 

[bill3607]

Wonderful, thank you everyone for your advice! No, toes aren’t curling under when she walks. I will try the epsom salt soak for sure, tomorrow. Appreciate the advice about the zip lock bag, what a great idea!

(Just for the heck of it, adding a photo of my 13yr girls. She’s the one on the right (Shirley). The white lady (Thelma) still lays an egg about every 2-3 months, sweet girl)View attachment 2542941

You said 13 year old "girls" as in plural. So, you have more than one 13 year old hen? And, 1 still lays an egg every 2-3 months?

 

[feather16]

Yep, in the photo above. I’ve got 3 13yr old hens

 

[Elsie-Belle]

Wonderful, thank you everyone for your advice! No, toes aren’t curling under when she walks. I will try the epsom salt soak for sure, tomorrow. Appreciate the advice about the zip lock bag, what a great idea!

(Just for the heck of it, adding a photo of my 13yr girls. She’s the one on the right (Shirley). The white lady (Thelma) still lays an egg about every 2-3 months, sweet girl)View attachment 2542941

Wow! That’s impressive.