Barred Rock who's limping

[BellaBelinski]

Hi to all!

I am a first time chicken owner and have four barred rock chickens. Yesterday one of my 5 month old chicklets was limping. I examined her foot, but couldn't seem to find anything wrong with it (but, once again I am a first time chicken owner and wouldn't know what to really look for). I really don't have a way to isolate her other than keeping all of them in their pen to which they have access to their coop. However, this means that they don't get to forage. They are on layer feed so I'm not too worried. about them not being able to forage.

My questions are: 1) What signs should I look for on her leg and foot? 2) What is bumble foot? 3) Will she be able to heal in the presence of the other chicklets? 4) Will the other chicklets start to pick on her, or will the pecking order remain the same? 5) Do they absolutely need greens even if they are on layer feed?

Any help is extremely appreciated!

 

[gardengal7279]

There is an article on how to treat bumblefoot

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/bumblefoot-how-to-treat-your-chickens-with-surgery-graphic-pics

I know that I've read that it can occur from a small cut that gets infected or some of the other members on here have said it can also be caused from them jumping down off their perch and hitting something that's too hard and bruising. I know you are also supposed to isolate them so they don't get picked on or transmit it to another chicken (at least that's what I've read). I give my chickens greens (usually spinach) in one of those treat balls once a day. They love it.

If it's not bumblefoot I know from personal experience that one time my Ancona Lucy was limping due to getting her little leg stuck between the ladder and their perch (which I have since fixed) and I inspected her leg and foot and everything appeared to be OK so I just watched her for a couple of days (and I put her on and off her perch so she didn't mess it up any worse) and she ended up being fine. I did however go out and get vet wrap just in case, so at least now I have it for any other emergencies that crop up.

 

[BellaBelinski]

Hi Gardengal!
Thanks for your reply. I inspected her leg again and it looks as if her joint is swollen and warm to the touch. I'm very concerned because I will be gone for the next 4 days which means that she will be getting minimal care. Can I get vet wrap at any feed store, and is this something that might benefit my chicklet with a potential joint injury?

 

[gardengal7279]

I got mine at Tractor Supply so I would assume any store that has farm animal supplies. I don't know maybe it would give her some more support? If you don't think it's infected maybe try it. I wouldn't wrap it too tight though. And make sure you don't get red tape because the other chickens will pick at it. Do you think maybe she jumped off of something?

 

[BellaBelinski]

She probably jumped off her roost or off the ladder wrong. She was fine the night before. I kept her in the pen all day today. She laid down most of the time, but did get up to peck at things and at the greens I brought her. I just happen to have some of that vet wrap in my first aid kit from when my cat had to have a surgery a long time ago. I totally forgot about it. I also looked at the websites you posted about bumblefoot. It's kind of like a chickens version of a plantars wart. I don't think that's what it is though. Thanks for your input GG

 

[PeepsAreForMe]

Bella, have you researched Marek's disease? It may be that. My rooster has it. If it is, wrapping her foot is not going to help. I hope it is not, but research it. Let me know how you make out.

 

[gardengal7279]

How did everything work out Bella?

 

[AndreaDavis]

When mine had an injured leg, I placed it in a cage on the porch with food and water (a mash mix for protein.- crumbles, cantalope, greek yogart-plain, and scrambled eggs, blended to a mash) And kept it in there for a month. Then @ night one evening we placed it with the roost and by morning it was reaccepted to the rest. Leg was all better.

 

[seminolewind]

It may get better. I would not worry unless it gets worse.

 

[BellaBelinski]

Hi Gardengal7279

I'm sorry I haven't responded. My chicken is still not doing well. I don't think taking her out as much as the vet prescribed was such a good idea. She is still not using her leg and when I have gone out to bring her back in (after ~45 min - 1 hr) I have found her sitting next to the dryer vent under our deck for the last couple of days. Obviously I am assuming that she is cold and it's in the mid 70s here. So, I am keeping her in a large crate inside for now. What's a mash? I feed her her normal crumbles and give her some scratch in her food with some BOS. I sometimes give her some live meal worms for protein, but the vet said not to give too many. I also give her some plain yogurt once in a while too, but I mostly want her to eat her food. Do you have any advice?