Hello from Texas!

[Chi Chi Bird]

Hi, y'all,

I'm a new member and happy to see all the activity on this site! Can't wait to get started. Having said that, I have a question. One of our 3 mo. old Plymouth Barred Rock chickens suddenly started limping. She only uses her left foot for balance, puts very little weight on it, so she has a hard time keeping up with her 5 sisters. There is no obvious injury to her foot or leg...So, just wondering if anyone else has experienced that.

Thanks for your help!

 

[limited25]

Welcome to BYC, nice to have you join us.

Type bumble foot into the search bar and compare that to what you see on your chicken ... maybe that will help.

 

[QueenMisha]

Welcome to BYC! It's great to have you.

Limping can be the result of several things; common causes include injury and bumblefoot, as well as Marek's Disease in unvaccinated birds. You may consider posting additional information in the Emergencies and Diseases forum. Ideally you should check for bumblefoot and make sure she has no obvious breaks or dislocations first; if she has none, then separate her from the others and place her in a dog cage or crate. Use a small to medium sized one to restrict her from walking around to much. Watch her progress for a week or thereabouts to determine if she has improved. If she does, it's likely a simple injury. You can also try pinching the tips of her toes to check for reaction. If it's a symptom of Marek's, then it will likely be the result of paralysis and she will probably be slow to react to a pinch. Check each toe and note reaction time.

 

[BuffOrpington88]

Hi and welcome to BYC! She may have just pulled a tendon or something, or she could have bumblefoot, as limited25 said. If it's bumble foot, then there will be a dark circular scar on the bottom of her foot (or feet). Thanks for joining us!

 

[drumstick diva]

Thank you for joining us at Backyard chickens

 

[Pork Pie]

Hi and welcome to BYC - you have some great advice already so I'll just say hello!


All the best
CT

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BYC! I'm glad you joined us!

 

[LearninMyFlock]

Welcome! I'm new also and it's so exciting isn't it? Best wishes

 

[Chi Chi Bird]

Thanks, I checked that and it's definitely not bumblefoot. No sores, swelling, etc. on her foot.

 

[Chi Chi Bird]

Thanks. Not sure how to tell if she has a dislocation...that could be it. She is still limping but is eating and drinking just fine. she can fly up to her roosting bar and down. But, doesn't venture out much once we let her out to free range. We fed them the medicated food for a couple of months but they are on regular food now (but mostly natural diet from free ranging). May try separating her for a few days to see if that helps. She's very docile and doesn't mind me picking her up, so I do carry her from place to place when I'm home so she doesn't have to walk too much.