Broody hen has a limp

[ChickVik]

Hello fellow chicken lovers,

My hen Has been sitting on her nest for around 15 days now and gets off daily to have some food, water and a dust bath .
As normal she came out this morning but I noticed she is hoping around and isn't putting any weight on her right foot.
When having a dust bath she seems to be using the foot to scratch around...
Anyone have any ideas before I get the vet out?
Thank you
Vikki

 

[TwoCrows]

Welcome to BYC!

I would get her out and give her an overall inspection, of course starting with the feet and legs. Check for bumblefoot, or any pad swelling. Any heat or swelling in the legs or foot joint. If she injured herself in the leg or foot, you should be able to feel some heat. Feel up the hock as well to see if it got injured somehow. Also while you have her out, check her over for mites and bugs as well. Sometimes broodies get tiny livestock which can cause all kinds of trouble.

If you can't see any symptoms of anything, if she were my bird, and she wasn't too bad off, I would let her be. As long as she is not suffering badly, she can eat and drink, I would let her continue with the incubation process. But if there is something really wrong with her, a vet visit might be a great idea.

Good luck with your broody and good luck with that hatch!

 

[gander007]

Alright

great to have you joining the BYC flock

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC! X2, I would check her over carefully, and if I didn't find anything and as long as she is acting otherwise alright and eating/drinking etc I would just leave her be and keep an eye on her. Is her nest on ground level or someplace she doesn't have to jump from, if she has to hop down you might want to put a ramp or something up so she isn't bouncing on the leg.