Healthy Hen with New Limp ...no signs of injury or pain

[aelswz]

Hi chicken friends. One of my three Buff Orpingtons started to limp yesterday and it's worse today. She is just over a year old. She can walk, but hobbles, putting little weight on her left leg. Our 6 hens actively free range during the day but I saw her sitting down in the yard for a bit which is a new behavior. There is no swelling or signs of injury with the leg, foot or thigh. When examined she does not seem to be in pain. She is eating, drinking and laying without issue and otherwise seems fine. I have no reason to think there is a nutrient deficiency. The only slight difference in her legs is a few orange colored places on the shank of the affected leg. It isn't blood and does wipe off a little. I think it's probably something from the yard but thought it worth asking if a parasite or fungus could cause her problem. I checked other posts on BYC as well as PoultryPodiatry.com and didn't find anything informative. If I can't find an answer should I try to splint the leg? If so, how? Is Vit B or another supplement worth a try? Thanks for the info and support!

 

[sunny & the 5 egg layers]

I have a hen with a similar problem.

How high is your roost? I've had to lower my roost before because the heavier birds have trouble getting off such heights. Be sure you have a good amount of bedding on the ground to soften the fall when they get off the roost in the morning. They can sometimes injure themselves this way.

You may have already done this, but it also wouldn't hurt to check underneath her foot to see if there is anything irritating her.

If she will allow you to do so, she may also benefit from a soak in warm water for 15-20 minutes a day. I've done this with my hen several times. You can even add a little bit of salt to the water.

Good luck with you hen.

 

[aelswz]

Thanks so much for the input. I did check out her foot but hadn't thought of a soak. Good idea. I ended up keeping her in the coop during the daytime when the other girls were free ranging just so she could rest that leg. Although their roost isn't very high, I took it out so she wouldn't be jumping up and down. I also tried sprinkling a little Brewer's Yeast on her food.

She has less of a limp today! Thanks again!!

 

[sunny & the 5 egg layers]

Thanks so much for the input. I did check out her foot but hadn't thought of a soak. Good idea. I ended up keeping her in the coop during the daytime when the other girls were free ranging just so she could rest that leg. Although their roost isn't very high, I took it out so she wouldn't be jumping up and down. I also tried sprinkling a little Brewer's Yeast on her food.

She has less of a limp today! Thanks again!!

That is fantastic. I'm so glad to hear she is doing better.