Anna is hurt.

[mightymax]

Is she stumbling around and running into things? Do you know if she can see or not? I have to get to a regular computer. I'll get back with you shortly.

 

[mightymax]

How's Anna doing? Still waddling like a duck or ???

 

[Chicnextdoor84]

It sounds like an egg bound symptom but you said she's laying eggs... did she go a long period without laying? Maybe she has a couple backed up. You could try soaking her bottom in warm water for about 30 min and see if that helps.

 

[emshens]

Still waddling like a duck. the next three days after we found her she laid an egg. i don't know if she laid an egg today, I let her wonder around the yard a bit to get some fresh air and she went under a bush for a bit today. She can see, still eating, drinking, cooing, clucking, and sleeping and loves it when i give her fresh veggies.

however i did notice that her breast has really atrophied (loss of muscle) and all i feel is her breast bone.... I don't know what that could mean, but she is totally ok with being handled and likes to waddle around the garden and get grub...

i even let her be with the flock again today for a short bit, but she sort of got exiled so i'm not comfortable leaving her out there until she can fend for herself again if that day comes.

 

[mightymax]

Do you know if her legs can perform what's called 'full range of motion'? And if you lay her on her back, does she kick her legs out like normal or do you have to help move her legs. In other words, can you assess whether or not her legs are working correctly?

 

[emshens]

Here is a video link of her waddle. I think she's really happy and think shes ok. sometimes after i pick her up she stand like a chicken, but then she sags her butt again.

I did test ROM and didn't notice any differences other than when she perches on my arm she puts less weight on her right leg.

 

[mightymax]

That doesn't look to be so bad! I'm thinking maybe 'semi waddle' would work...lol! You say that she tends to bear less weight on her right leg and that her left leg is fine, right? This makes me think about things like pulled muscles, torn ligaments and especially slipped tendons. Since she's not in any obvious pain, I would just watch her closely for a few days and see if she gets better, worse or stays the same and go from there. keep us posted.

 

[emshens]

Shes doing good but still walks like a duck so now we call her ducky. but she was able to manage her way back into the flock. However now I have chicken missing; no evidence or anything. could she be nesting or brooding somewhere other than the coop?

 

[mightymax]

Good to hear about Anna. Sorry to hear about your missing hen. Yes, it's very possible she could be laying eggs somewhere else. She could have been going out to lay them every day for days now without you knowing and now she has a clutch and could be sitting on them. I'd probably start looking in enclosed, tight spots around you and your neighbor's yards. I know my hens are fond of dried leaves and tall grasses and also the wood pile next to the shed. It's quiet, secluded and kind of dark. I hope she comes back soon !!!