Chicken Limping... Any Advice?

[NapoeleonDynamite]

Hi!
My 3-month-old color pack layer has been limping for a few days, and I have no idea why or how to treat it (if I even need to). She’s been unusually low-energy recently, not like her usual self.
Anyway, her right leg seems to be hurting her, because she limps and sits on the ground often. She isn’t very vocal anymore, and when she does cluck, it’s weak and sad.
I can’t see anything wrong with her leg or foot, except that her foot is a little noodly and floppy, and it doesn’t move much.
My best guess is that it’s a minor sprain, because it’s likely that she landed on it wonky, but I really don’t know, as there’s lots of worse things it could be.
If you have any advice or guesses at her problem, I’d be so grateful to hear them!
Many thanks, and have a great day!

 

[Lady of McCamley]

Hmmmm, while injury is always possible, a bird with an injured leg is generally not weak overall, and unthrifty/lethargic, unless it is a bad injury that has prevented them from getting to food and water. They generally just hop around on one foot and go about business. (I had a hen step in a rat trap and had a grossly swollen foot for about a week....but it didn't slow her down much).

At 3 months of age, I would suspect illness causing general systemic weakness presenting in the leg instability rather than a direct injury.

That could be from coccidiosis...especially since she sounds generally lethargic and unthrifty. Does she sit huddled and fluffed? That is a common sign, with subsequent weakness, of coccidosis. It doesn't always cause bloody diarrhea if the infection is up high in the tract. Speedy treatment with Corid can save the day.

Another possibility, due to the age of onset, is....Marek's. That is a common age for that to strike. It causes general weakness with a floppy extremity, typically a leg. Due to the nature of Marek's, you can have one bird succumb while the rest of the flock is fine. Marek's is in just about all environments so it is pretty impossible to eradicate. Vaccination is like the flu vaccination, it only protects from the major strains, and not all birds.

TLC with treatment is important. Electrolytes and some warm mash if she will eat it. If you are of the mind treatment with Corid could be a good choice.

If Marek's, then time will tell. There is no treatment of that. Some recover while others succumb.

My thoughts,
LofMc

 

[NapoeleonDynamite]

Hmmmm, while injury is always possible, a bird with an injured leg is generally not weak overall, and unthrifty/lethargic, unless it is a bad injury that has prevented them from getting to food and water. They generally just hop around on one foot and go about business. (I had a hen step in a rat trap and had a grossly swollen foot for about a week....but it didn't slow her down much).

At 3 months of age, I would suspect illness causing general systemic weakness presenting in the leg instability rather than a direct injury.

That could be from coccidiosis...especially since she sounds generally lethargic and unthrifty. Does she sit huddled and fluffed? That is a common sign, with subsequent weakness, of coccidosis. It doesn't always cause bloody diarrhea if the infection is up high in the tract. Speedy treatment with Corid can save the day.

Another possibility, due to the age of onset, is....Marek's. That is a common age for that to strike. It causes general weakness with a floppy extremity, typically a leg. Due to the nature of Marek's, you can have one bird succumb while the rest of the flock is fine. Marek's is in just about all environments so it is pretty impossible to eradicate. Vaccination is like the flu vaccination, it only protects from the major strains, and not all birds.

TLC with treatment is important. Electrolytes and some warm mash if she will eat it. If you are of the mind treatment with Corid could be a good choice.

If Marek's, then time will tell. There is no treatment of that. Some recover while others succumb.

My thoughts,
LofMc

Thanks so much, this is incredibly helpful! She sits pretty casually and loosely, but that might be from the heat. That’s another thing— it’s been super hot the last few days, around 90 degrees f, would that have caused anything? I’ve been trying but keep them cool with the regular things like water, shade, etc., but does heat do anything to them?

 

[Lady of McCamley]

Thanks so much, this is incredibly helpful! She sits pretty casually and loosely, but that might be from the heat. That’s another thing— it’s been super hot the last few days, around 90 degrees f, would that have caused anything? I’ve been trying but keep them cool with the regular things like water, shade, etc., but does heat do anything to them?

Yes. They can get heat stroke. They will pant a lot, look pale, be listless and even limp.

Some breeds handle heat better than others.

Try adding shade and misters and fan if possible.

 

[NapoeleonDynamite]

Yes. They can get heat stroke. They will pant a lot, look pale, be listless and even limp.

Some breeds handle heat better than others.

Try adding shade and misters and fan if possible.

What a relief! I’ll definitely do that. Thank you again!