Chicken standing on one leg

[LittleMissCountry]

I went out this morning early to feed my chickens. They usually come running towards the run door when they see me. One of my black sex links (22 weeks old and laying eggs) was laying down in the run. She stayed down until I got over there and hung the feeder. Then she stood up but kept one leg tucked up under her. I called to her and she walked over to me. I examined her but couldn't find any bumps, cuts or anything unusual. Her feet looked normal, no swelling. I put her down and she stayed in one spot, and started preening her feathers, which I have never seen her do in the morning.

Is there anything I should look out for? I didn't see her eating this morning, but I will watch and see if she eats. She does free range a few hours each day.

 

[azygous]

My rooster fools me every now and then by standing on one leg with the other folded up under his belly, but an exam turns up nothing. It appears he just enjoys standing on one leg from time to time.

However, a couple times he's done that, I've found slightly raised leg scales indicating the beginning of a scaly leg mite attack. These microscopic pests burrow under the scales and cause a lot of pain.

Check your hen's legs and feet. Her scales should be perfectly smooth. If they aren't then that could be the problem. The cure is a thick oil like castor oil slathered generously on feet and shanks.

 

[LittleMissCountry]

My rooster fools me every now and then by standing on one leg with the other folded up under his belly, but an exam turns up nothing. It appears he just enjoys standing on one leg from time to time.

However, a couple times he's done that, I've found slightly raised leg scales indicating the beginning of a scaly leg mite attack. These microscopic pests burrow under the scales and cause a lot of pain.

Check your hen's legs and feet. Her scales should be perfectly smooth. If they aren't then that could be the problem. The cure is a thick oil like castor oil slathered generously on feet and shanks.

Thanks! I am out right now, but will check her legs as soon as I get back. We do have castor oil at home.

 

[LittleMissCountry]

I checked her legs and all her scales seemed normal and flat. She hasn't eaten as much as normal, but does have food in her crop. When out free ranging, she was more active. Maybe just the heat?

 

[azygous]

Yes, heat can knock a chicken back just as it does us humans. If you've seen her panting with her beak open and if you've noticed her comb and facial tissue turning a bright cherry red, your hen is likely overheated.

When it gets up around 90-95F, I break out the ice cubes, dump four trays of them into a big rubber dish and let the chickens peck away at them. They seem to enjoy it, and they are drinking the ice melt all the hot afternoon, cooling down their body temperatures.

Another easy thing to do to keep chickens cool is to wet down their favorite dirt bathing spots. In the process of dirt bathing in the damp soil or sand, they exchange the excess heat in their bodies for the coolness of the damp soil.

 

[LittleMissCountry]

I have been putting frozen water bottles out for them to lay against, and giving them a tub of water with ice cubes. Also some frozen fruit occasionally. They have all been panting in this heat and humidity. She laid down against a frozen water bottle for quite some time today.

I have not wetted down the dust bath areas, so I will try that. Thank you!