Chicken is Limping

[Silkie2]

Here are some updated pictures (her comb was pale and dry so I put coconut oil on it and now it's nice and back to its normal red )
Silver, how she normally sits now

Left foot

Right foot

She doesn't really get up, i've been giving her water through a syringe and she usually eats a couple pellets, but will eat scrambled eggs (going to cook some for her now)

 

[GingersHuman]

She looked pretty content in her sling, just have to make a poop hole, haha! Her feet are looking pretty good. I wonder if she has a leg injury?

 

[Nat chickenmama]

Hi there, I just joined the thread and hoping your girl gets better soon. I'm dealing with a few foot issues myself. I noticed in a few threads you weren't sure about nutrition... I recently learned about fermenting their feed. It's very interesting and seems to save money and gives more nutrition absorption. Google it or try the chickenchick.com blog. She has a great description of how to do and the benefits etc. or you can just google it. You save money because chickens get their fill with less food and the nutrients are enhanced. AND... they love it! All around great situation. Hope this helped!

 

[Silkie2]

Silver sadly died today...I truly feel terrible...it wasn't a sickness it was by a hawk... me and my stupid decisions....I decided to let silver out with the chickens...a couple of days ago a hawk came (almost got a silkie) , luckily my brother scared it away. We locked the hens in the coop for a couple of days, hoping that the hawk would see there was no 'food' after that we let them out and there was no sign of a hawk...for the next week.... I came home today and couldn't find silver...then after searching the coop I found her body ripped to shreds....I shouldn't have let her out

she had no chance against the hawk. Before she wobbled around, but I could see she was happy to be with other hens, so I left her out. The other chickens were fine because they were probably able to run away.... sorry if this makes no sense, I'm literally crying right now, and I know people are gonna get annoyed for me crying over a 'chicken' but believe me, she was more then 'just a chicken' to me... I'll miss her.... I know we should have done it awhile ago, but my parents said it was fine, but after this... we are determined to get a net over the pen, we never really did it because our pen is so big but now we HAVE too.. we are going to leave them in till we get the net... I really do love my hens

thank you for all the help you all really did help, it really sucks cause she actually did look like she was getting better..

 

[Nat chickenmama]

I am so very sorry! I am just like you with my chickens. I totally feel your pain. So sorry

 

[rebrascora]

Really sorry you lost her so tragically.
I know that I would rather live in a world where there is freedom with risks than a prison or sterile environment. Quality of life is more important than lifespan. I am sure she thoroughly enjoyed that spell of freedom that she had and hope that it was a quick death to the hawk. It is a shame but in some respects better than suffering for a long time and being in quarantine having to be hand fed and bathed and bandaged every day etc. Having that short time with some sun on her back and being able to scratch in the dirt with the other chickens was as important to her potential recovery as any medicine you could give her. Many hens don't ever get to experience that.
Don't beat yourself up. I normally free range and occasional losses are a part of that but recently having had to pen my birds up due to bird flu restrictions, you realise just how much they love to be out and how much they hate being penned and I think it is worth the risks.

Best wishes

Barbara

 

[Silkie2]

Thank you for the kind words, I really appreciate it

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I'm so sorry for your loss

 

[GingersHuman]

Silver sadly died today...I truly feel terrible...it wasn't a sickness it was by a hawk... me and my stupid decisions....I decided to let silver out with the chickens...a couple of days ago a hawk came (almost got a silkie) , luckily my brother scared it away. We locked the hens in the coop for a couple of days, hoping that the hawk would see there was no 'food' after that we let them out and there was no sign of a hawk...for the next week.... I came home today and couldn't find silver...then after searching the coop I found her body ripped to shreds....I shouldn't have let her out

she had no chance against the hawk. Before she wobbled around, but I could see she was happy to be with other hens, so I left her out. The other chickens were fine because they were probably able to run away.... sorry if this makes no sense, I'm literally crying right now, and I know people are gonna get annoyed for me crying over a 'chicken' but believe me, she was more then 'just a chicken' to me... I'll miss her.... I know we should have done it awhile ago, but my parents said it was fine, but after this... we are determined to get a net over the pen, we never really did it because our pen is so big but now we HAVE too.. we are going to leave them in till we get the net... I really do love my hens

thank you for all the help you all really did help, it really sucks cause she actually did look like she was getting better..

It is NOT silly to mourn the loss of your chicken. I lost several to hawks unfortunately, no matter what I did. Our pen is also large and difficult to cover with netting. I finally lost 2 of my OEGB's in a row and then immediately ordered a bunch of netting (ended up with twice as much as I needed!), and left my birds in til I got the pen covered. I have cried over the loss of my birds before, no shame in that. Hugs to you.

 

[Alice23]

Oh your poor chicken

condolences. Hawks sound terrible to deal with, I'm glad I don't have to. Can't believe they would come into the coop.