My Buff Orpington who just recovered from her broken leg seems to be having another issue today. I noticed she was just laying down a lot in the corner, but then when she got up to walk around she was losing her balance. Her broken leg healed crooked so she is always going to favor the other leg a bit more, however, I think she sprained something in her GOOD leg now. As I watch her get up and move around she seems reluctant to put her usual weight on the good leg - but she DOES put weight on it and once she gets going she's okay, but just slow and wants to lay down mostly. She's eating and drinking normal. The rest are out free-ranging. She's staying near the coop and mostly laying down. She struggles coming out of her raised hen house even with the ramp/ladder. It's like she won't use it so she tries to fly down but then she just crashes to the ground. Ugh! I have 9-week-old baby chicks that just became integrated with the flock this week and I've seen her chasing them around. I think she's at the bottom of the pecking order now and trying to make sure the babies stay below her. She was fine yesterday. I'm guessing she got a little too confident with her abilities. I swear it's always something with these birds. Praying she recovers in a day or two. I'm a little worried about her getting on the roost tonight. She always goes in last now (since being reintegrated), and I swear it takes these birds 10 minutes of fighting before they settle. I think she tries to stay out of it and picks a spot when they are done. The problem NOW is the babies are trying to get position and it causes more issues. They have NOT been allowed on the roost yet so they've been sleeping at the top of the stairs. LOL
