Big Girl is limping! Help me, please!

[Kris5902]

Yes, I just went outside and bribed the chickens with mealworms for that video... my point being she couldn’t stand or walk on her own at all when I took over her care, she was also generally in much worse condition. So with rest, restricted movement, and care, I fully believe your chicken will be just fine. Also they will tremble when held if they aren’t used to being handled, sometimes even when healthy, so take a few deep breaths and calm down.

 

[RhodeIslandRed5]

She has been held before. Trouble is she is the one who is the least friendliest of my girls and will try to scramble away from you. She'll probably have to be sedated for the vet to be able to x-ray her, and that's gonna cost extra.

 

[Kiki]

She has been held before. Trouble is she is the one who is the least friendliest of my girls and will try to scramble away from you. She'll probably have to be sedated for the vet to be able to x-ray her, and that's gonna cost extra.

Are you being serious?

You bird does not have a broken leg or whatever it was the vet phone answerer said.


I am being serious when I ask you if you are serious because it is very clear your bird is not as ill as you think she is.

 

[Kris5902]

I wouldn’t go to the expense of a vet for any of my chickens for an injury. If I can’t treat it myself and really feel the animal is suffering badly, then I will put it down. But I don’t have a vet nearby that treats chickens/livestock the nearest is 8+hours away and it is illegal here (in Canada) to transport sick or injured livestock animals without a veterinary assessment prior to moving it.

 

[Kris5902]

Are you being serious?

You bird does not have a broken leg or whatever it was the vet phone answerer said.


I am being serious when I ask you if you are serious because it is very clear your bird is not as ill as you think she is.

X2... go back and watch my video I edited in. That was a chicken that was completely unable to stand or walk for about a week, and with a healed up leg injury. I really think your girl just needs quiet space where she doesn’t have to compete for feed/water, the other chickens can’t harass her, and she doesn’t need to jump up to a roost or such. Get her in a crate or pet carrier of some sort to limit her activity for a while and she will probably be just fine in a few days to a week.

 

[RhodeIslandRed5]

I am still going to take her to the vet, and see what he says. Perhaps she will not need an x-ray at all. You make it sound like I'm being stupid in all this. Her limp is awful because her leg looks crooked. And all we want to do is have a vets confirmation. Is that so terrible?

 

[RhodeIslandRed5]

I will let you know what he says Friday.

 

[casportpony]

Her limp is awful because her leg looks crooked.

Her limp is not nearly as bad as I thought it was going to be.

 

[Kris5902]

I am still going to take her to the vet, and see what he says. Perhaps she will not need an x-ray at all. You make it sound like I'm being stupid in all this. Her limp is awful because her leg looks crooked. And all we want to do is have a vets confirmation. Is that so terrible?

If you have access to affordable vet care and a vet that will see chickens then by all means no! Do whatever you think is best for her, I can only speak to my situation, as can others. From what we see in your video and pictures there isn’t an indication of a severe injury, but that doesn’t mean there 100% isn’t one.

I think she has a very good chance of recovery though, and I think we all don’t want to see her euthanized from an injury that if it is something that can’t be “fixed” might be something she could learn to live around instead. Which was why I wanted to share my Hoppy’s Experience with you. She can’t roost high and she limps (edit for spelling) like an old pirate with a peg leg, but it doesn’t slow her down anymore and she is a very happy chicken.

Best wishes for you and your girl and I hope you can share good news with us on Friday with the vet’s expertise.

 

[Eggcessive]

Can you post a couple of pictures of your pullet standing from the front? There are a few leg bone deformities that chickens can suffer from, such as varus or valgus deformity, which can affect one leg or both. Not sure that this is a problem, but if it is, no vet can fix those. Most people let the chickens try to get around on their own in the flock. I would not put this chicken down unless she stops being able to walk. The hen below has valgus deformity in her right leg, but she can still walk: