Can't figure this out...

[musikfan]

Hey Folks. There could very well be a similar thread to this issue, but I didn't really see anything particular, so I'm asking for your input and suggestions as to what might be going on. Prissy, my Barred Rock, has been acting strange lately. She appears normal from all visual angles, but she almost acts like she has pain in her legs when she walks. She spends a majority of her day lying down. She does get up but whenever she does, she walks slowly and almost gingerly. She will walk faster if something startles her, and she is still feisty when with the other two hens. But even when I went up to the wire, the other two are right there waiting for me to give them treats, and she just keeps lying there in the dirt. I went up close to her and the other two were right beside her and almost on top of her and she still didn't budge. She makes her normal noises but I just feel like there's something wrong with her legs. I did not pick her up visually to inspect her legs as she usually does not want me getting too close to her (normal behavior). If I didn't know better, I'd think she has arthritis. She's only about two years old max, so I'm not sure. But like I said she's fine otherwise, eats and drinks and is still laying eggs, I think.... However, I'm not sure because I only get an average of two eggs a day and sometimes three. I don't know...would a clogged vent cause this? I'd appreciate any input/feedback. Thanks...

 

[MysteryChicken]

Check the bottoms of her feet for swelling, & a scab? If she has those, then she has bumblefoot.

 

[BarnyardChaos]

Can you check her feet? I'm wondering if she has bumblefoot.
2-3 eggs a day from 3 hens total? My goodness, they're doing great!

We recently culled a rooster who acted like you described, except that when he did walk he stepped like climbing stairs in the air. We culled him for other reasons, but I had suspected bumblefoot due to the black patch on one foot. It wasn't, but I never figured out what was wrong.

 

[musikfan]

OK. Thank you guys, but what is bumblefoot and what do you do about it?

 

[MysteryChicken]

OK. Thank you guys, but what is bumblefoot and what do you do about it?

Bumblefoot got is caused by a Staphylococcus infection in the foot, simply due to an injury.

 

[musikfan]

if the chicken has bumblefoot, can we still eat the eggs?

 

[NatJ]

if the chicken has bumblefoot, can we still eat the eggs?

Yes, you can still eat the eggs.

Bumblefoot itself will not make the eggs unsafe for you to eat.

If you give her any medication, check about each medication, whether you can still eat the eggs or need to avoid them (this applies to all medications, for all purposes, not just bumblefoot.)

 

[Dragonwolfmastr]

if the chicken has bumblefoot, can we still eat the eggs?

Yes, you can. I actually have one with bumblefoot right now and she is still laying; we are eating her eggs. Edit: I see NatJ posted a helpful reply on medication. I agree

You should definitely check the bottoms of her feet for swelling and a brown/black scab. I once had a chicken with bumblefoot and the only way to tell was a slight limp— I couldn’t identify it as bumblefoot for sure until I picked her up and looked at her feet.

I would look into treatment if bumblefoot is confirmed to relieve the chicken of its pain— I used this helpful article once: https://the-chicken-chick.com/bumblefoot-causes-treatment-warning/

 

[MysteryChicken]

if the chicken has bumblefoot, can we still eat the eggs?

Yes, the eggs are safe.

 

[musikfan]

Thank you everyone, for the helpful information. Y'all are great! I'm going to be checking tomorrow to see what's up with her feet. I won't be surprised if she has it. I'm going to start with the epsome salt soaks, I think.... Should be funny to see how she fares as I've never even attempted to pick her up except when I first got her and put her in the coop. LOL! She'll be fine, though. At least she's familiar with me and knows who I am.