Cuckoo Marans Hen with Weak Legs and Wobbly Gait

[BloomingMan]

Hi Everyone! I have been reading posts for years and this is my first time starting one! I have a cuckoo marans hen that is quite large - easily 2-3 pounds bigger than my next largest hen. I think she is around 7-8 months old (not laying yet).

A few days ago, I noticed the hen was wobbly on her legs and seemed to skip and stomp her feet rather than walk with normal chicken agility. Last year, I picked up some broilers to butcher and saw the broiler hens doing the same thing. The breeder I got the broilers from said this happens becuase they get too big for their legs and means they have reached their peak age and need to be butchered before their legs actually break from their own weight.

My question: could the same thing be happening to this Marans? Everything else is fine with the bird. Engery, eating, forgaging, fighting. She wants to do all the things but when she moves can only take a few steps before needing to anchor down to the ground.

Thank you for the insight! I searched for similar questions but nothing seemed to quite fit.

 

[Molpet]

Have you checked for bumble foot? Sounds like some foot leg issue. Could be her weight though

 

[BloomingMan]

Thank you, @Molpet! Yes, I was inspecting her legs and feet yesterday and did not see obvious signs of bumblefoot. Seems to have a reasonable range of motion in her joints and feet appear ok. Although when I looked yesterday it seemed like there was some redness under the leg skin. I will check again today.