Chicken walking on her toes

[toddysharp]

Chipmunk is a six year old Welsummer. She is in lovely condition (apart from just starting her annual moult), and was laying up until recently. A few weeks ago we noticed that she was showing signs of discomfort when walking - pushing herself up on her toes, not putting the flat of either foot on the ground. We have checked her over quite thoroughly - there is no sign of scaly leg mite or bumblefoot on either leg/foot, no swelling or deformity anywhere we can find. She's not moving around in the garden with her companion as much as she used to but is still alert and bright. Any ideas, or experience of arthritis/gout in chickens? It's the fact that it's the same with both legs/feet that's got us uncertain about what it could be. She's certainly not looking comfortable walking.

 

[micstrachan]

I don’t see any bumblefoot, either. Maybe gout is starting g? How often was she laying? If she’s on layer, maybe it’s too much calcium if she’s not laying much?

 

[townchicks]

Wish I could help, those feet look pretty good to me. Maybe arthritis? Maybe try some warm water/ epsom salt soaks? Baby aspirin might help.

 

[Eggcessive]

The feet do have a slightly lumpy appearance to them, which looks a bit like articular gout. A vet might be helpful to prescribe an anti-inflammatory drug such as meloxicam, but some also use cherry extract to help with pain. Here is some reading:
https://thepoultrysite.com/articles/gout-management-in-poultry

http://www.poultrydvm.com/condition/gout

 

[toddysharp]

I don’t see any bumblefoot, either. Maybe gout is starting g? How often was she laying? If she’s on layer, maybe it’s too much calcium if she’s not laying much?

She's not laying that regularly - started laying in May following a long gap since Oct last year, then an egg every 2/3 days until she stopped last week. Good thought about layers pellets. Both our girls are elderly 6 & 8 but still laying for a around 3 months of the year. Hadn't thought to change the diet. That said, they don't seem to get through many pellets.

Thanks for all the suggestions from everyone, we'll try all the options suggested and see if any make her more comfortable.