Chicken with bad foot; folding it under, and falling over

[iangrimshaw]

Hi, I'm new to the forum and new to keeping hens. Blackie, my black rock has been in good health up until 3 weeks ago, but she has started favouring a foot, keeping it folded and off the ground. When she walks she puts the "wrist" of her shank on the ground, often losing balance. On inspection, there isn't any swelling underneath, but the foot seems fairly limp. Also her comb has gone from bright scarlet to very pale and dry. I live in the country,(Cumbria) but would the local vet laugh at me if I took a hen in?? Any advice gladly received
IAn

 

[Miss Lydia]

I can't help much on cause, but as far as vets go some will treat chickens and others will not you'll just have to ask. Alot on here do take their chickens and other fowl to the vets though. This could be a vitamin deficiency you might want to try babyvits. w/o iron for at least a week to see if you see any improvement, Is she eating and drinking? Might want to seperate her just as a percaution. How old is she? Hey welcome to BYC!!

 

[chickenzoo]

Please give us some more info if you can.
How old is she?
What do you feed?
Has she been wormed?

 

[iangrimshaw]

Hi, She is about 8 months old, and is eating well. She hasn't been wormed though, so will look at that for all 6 of my hens. I feed them layers pellets, with some poultry corn, although yesterday they got a warm mash of pellets, corn, mealworms, shredded veg and corn oil.. (first hard frost and snow of winter)

 

[chickenzoo]

Is she laying? Sometimes if you feed layer before they are laying/finish bone growth, it can cause bone problems because of the extra calcium...Look for any black/dark scab on the bottom of the foot, that would be bumble foot and you could do a search on here for treatment if it is. If not it could be anything from a injury to the leg, to worms or lice/mites weaking her body (if their is weight loss where you feel the keel bone). Also vitamin deficiency, neurological illness..... but I would start with the easiest and worm with Wazine, up vitamins and check their feathers and around their vent for lice/mites and dust accordingly.

 

[FRlEDeggs]

Quote:
Could you elaborate on the Neurological Illnesses? My chicken has some leg problems and that seems like a good possibility for her aliment...

 

[mamagreen]

I had a similar situation with one of my P. Rocks I brought her inside my office and kept her still ,warm and pampered for 1 wk. after a wk she was no longer content staying still and ready to go back out to the coop. Maybe TLC is and a de-wormer would be a good start. Good Luck!

 

[iangrimshaw]

Hi, thanks all for your replies. Am going to try a dewormer and some tonic on their food. Will keep you updated with how it goes