Guinea hen odd behavior

[Jem1721]

Hey everyone- I'm new to guinea fowl scene, and am about to let my birds free range- I have one hen however that decided she doesn't want to walk anymore, but instead flap around on the ground.. I'm worried she's hurt but can't tell. There are many eggs laid, so I'm wondering if maybe its broody behavior, or maybe an egg problem? Please help!!

 

[MiniHorses]

I'm new to guineas BUT, first thing to think with odd animal behaviour is " hurt or sick?". I have many animals just got guineas, however) So, when did this action begin? Is it only when approached? (some fowl will do odd things to distract if nesting) Is she eating/drinking? Do you see any evidence of feathers awry, etc? Does she flop only when approached? Is she actually laying/sitting all the time -- in the run? Does it appear to be both legs or one? Are others aggressive to her? Do you free range them and was she out as normal?

These will probably be things the seasoned owners will find helpful in replying to you. Good luck, hope it isn't injury.

 

[PeepsCA]

I'm coming in late on this thread... but it could be a tendon problem (slipped tendons... where the tendons slip off to one side or the other of the hock joint) that is causing her to walk on her hocks and use her wings to move around. Sometimes this is a genetic abnormality, sometimes it can be a vitamin/nutrient deficiency. Usually it shows up in younger birds/keets tho. I'd check her tendons that run over the back sides her hock joints, on both legs... if the tendons look off centered and you can physically move the tendon back to center but it pops right back out of place then it may be too late to do much for her without expensive surgery done by an avian vet. The grooves that the tendons rest in have deteriorated...and she probably won't improve/recover on her own. I have been able to successfully correct the issue in young keets (when caught early) by wrapping the hock joints effectively with a very thin strip of tape (in the opposite direction that the tendons want to slip to) to hold the tendons in place, but have never attempted this or experienced this condition in older birds. You could try tho (do a search here on BYC for Slipped Tendons, it should pull up a couple threads about it), and I would also make sure she gets extra vitamins and calcium and plenty of protein. Most likely the Hen will need to be put down tho... she is undoubtedly in pain already at this point that will only worsen with time, and she will soon develop sores (if she hasn't already) that may become infected and even cannibalized by the other birds... plus she cannot escape predators...