My Latest Crisis!
My three month old Lavender Orp pullet "Violet" is limping! I still have her and my Jubilee, Adeline, stay in a large dog crate in our walk-out basement at night. I have to keep my coop sterilized to get rid of my one year old BR's leg mites. (I've never had any health problems w/my flock until this week!) Last night when the Orps walked in the basement door and to their crate, I heard a little crash (sound of dog crate metal) and looked, but everything looked okay. I'm thinking that maybe Violet hit her leg on the bottom lip of the dog crate when she got in. That's what I am hoping is the cause and not some terrible disease! When I saw her limp outside this morning, I carried her to the area where she and Adeline hang out. I gave them some watermelon, but noticed that Violet was panting, so I brought them both back in the basement because it is really hot and humid today.
My daughter and I find it difficult to tell which leg is the bad leg. She can walk a few wobbly steps, but then sits down. When my daughter held her up so I could examine Violet's legs and feet, her right leg toes curled up and her left leg toes were out in the walking position. I didn't see any swelling or marks anywhere. I guess the worst case scenario is Marek's, but I assume the breeder vaccinated the chicks, but I am checking on that.
After reading some posts, I am wondering if eating my five hens' food has caused any problems. I have the pullets on medicated chick feed because that's what the chicken scratch farms breeders were feeding them. I keep the medicated food in the basement crate so the hens can't eat it. However, I see the pullets occasionally eating some of the hens food. From what I've read, since the pullets are three months old, the chicken food shouldn't be a problem. Any thoughts?-- besides not leaving the hens food out? They all free range everyday.
For Violet's leg limping, should I give her "poly vi sol no iron" and/or electrolytes and probiotics? My "Chicken Health for Dummies" book said aspirin can be given if there is swelling or sign of infection, but there isn't. Help please! Thank you.
My three month old Lavender Orp pullet "Violet" is limping! I still have her and my Jubilee, Adeline, stay in a large dog crate in our walk-out basement at night. I have to keep my coop sterilized to get rid of my one year old BR's leg mites. (I've never had any health problems w/my flock until this week!) Last night when the Orps walked in the basement door and to their crate, I heard a little crash (sound of dog crate metal) and looked, but everything looked okay. I'm thinking that maybe Violet hit her leg on the bottom lip of the dog crate when she got in. That's what I am hoping is the cause and not some terrible disease! When I saw her limp outside this morning, I carried her to the area where she and Adeline hang out. I gave them some watermelon, but noticed that Violet was panting, so I brought them both back in the basement because it is really hot and humid today.
My daughter and I find it difficult to tell which leg is the bad leg. She can walk a few wobbly steps, but then sits down. When my daughter held her up so I could examine Violet's legs and feet, her right leg toes curled up and her left leg toes were out in the walking position. I didn't see any swelling or marks anywhere. I guess the worst case scenario is Marek's, but I assume the breeder vaccinated the chicks, but I am checking on that.
After reading some posts, I am wondering if eating my five hens' food has caused any problems. I have the pullets on medicated chick feed because that's what the chicken scratch farms breeders were feeding them. I keep the medicated food in the basement crate so the hens can't eat it. However, I see the pullets occasionally eating some of the hens food. From what I've read, since the pullets are three months old, the chicken food shouldn't be a problem. Any thoughts?-- besides not leaving the hens food out? They all free range everyday.
For Violet's leg limping, should I give her "poly vi sol no iron" and/or electrolytes and probiotics? My "Chicken Health for Dummies" book said aspirin can be given if there is swelling or sign of infection, but there isn't. Help please! Thank you.
