Chicken is limping?

[CityFolk]

One of my chickens started limping yesterday. It still hangs with the flock and eats/drinks, but if it tries to run or walk it limps. If it runs it makes a squaking noise each step. I am trying to figure out what could have caused it. I don't see any would, but I can't get that close and its dark now.

If some bone is broke or fractured, is that likely to heal?

What else could cause that? There were no loose feathers to be found in the coop area so I don't think they were attacked and its pretty secure over night.

 

[faykokoWV]

have you looked at the bottom of its foot, it could be bumble foot.

 

[sammi]

what sort of roosts do you have?
how high are they?
what bedding do you use?

you'll have to catch her..
best way is to go out when they've gone to roost and she is asleep or sleepy..wrap her in a towel and take her where you can check her good...
check the leg joints for signs of injury or an heat or swelling.
check for raised scales or signs of crust on the legs.

check the feet very well...tops bottoms and between the toes and also for a broken or missing toe nail.
look for any sores, lesions raised areas or scab..or a splinter or something sticking her..
also any heat or swelling..
She could have Bumblefoot..and needs treatment asap..
lots of threads here for that..
keep her in confined area where she'll be warm and safe..with soft bedding and food and water..
if she has Bumblefoot..she'll most likely need some Penicillin or Pen-G procaine and small syringes with 22 gauge needles and alcohol and cotton balls or alcohol wipes...from feed/farm/livestock store.
and first aid supplies..such as betadine..
do a search..for Bumblefoot..

will wait for your reply.

 

[CityFolk]

Okay I finally caught the chicken after work today. I picked it up and had it upside down. There is no sign of injury on either toe or on the nails. I did not see any bumps or cuts or discoloration. I tried to feel aroud the leg muscles, but they both felt the same to me. The chicken just has a lot of trouble walking, it hobbles at about half speed. Is there anything else I could check short of an xray?

 

[The Zoo]

I've had the same problem with my girls.
It always seems like a pulled muscle or a strain from doing something. I've always brought them inside and kept them isolated for a day or more so they could heal. They always have. I've even thought about ice packs but didn't think they'd like it very much.