HELP my chicken is limping.

[ten chicks]

I checked her over last night and both feet are fine no swelling no redness no scaly legs! I was just wondering if it could be the start of it or would i see signs already? Im a first time chicken keeper and im just worried im going to do something wrong or leave her to long if its something serious.

Here is a great link explaining bumblefoot.

http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2011/07/bumblefoot-causes-treatment-warning.html

 

[craigcarter79]

I'll take a look thank you.

 

[craigcarter79]

the one she's limping on.

 

[craigcarter79]

the one she's not limping on. Can anyone see anything obvious? They both look the same size and colour sorry if pics ain't brill I'm doing it on my phone.

 

[ten chicks]

the one she's not limping on. Can anyone see anything obvious? They both look the same size and colour sorry if pics ain't brill I'm doing it on my phone.

Hard to tell from pictures,but they both look the same to me. Can you feel/see any swelling on leg/foot?

 

[craigcarter79]

No i cant feel any swelling or lumps or bumps, she grips my hand with it but limps!

 

[chicknmania]

What's that little spot on her left toe? Towards her foot pad? Shows up in the bottom two photos. Looks like that might be a little scab or sore place, maybe start of bumblefoot.
Or maybe just dirt? Can"t really tell.

 

[Spikes Chooks]

It wouldn't do any harm to bathe her feet in a weakened Betadine solution (liquid antiseptic). I had a hen with the beginnings of bumblefoot, or an infection, or just a callous. Who knows!!! Anyway, it disappeared after I put Betadine on it daily for three days. The dark spots may be nothing (even just dirt) but, as I say, perhaps worth a go.

I also had a hen with a sprain including two of her toes broken. She took a jump down onto hard bedrock and landed badly. There was no swelling, just limping and she healed up fine. Within 2-3 weeks the limp was gone. During this time, I just avoided making her run much. For example, my 4 girls come running like mad things if I call them for a treat or to get taken into the run at night (scratch time....). So I would wait until she was already close by to me, before I called. Then walk very slowly so she didn't run to get into the run first to get the goodies. That was a year ago and she shows no further probloems, though the toes healed crooked.

If you keep her as quiet as you can, but still with the others, I wouldn't worry unless it worsened. Some extra prtotein can help with healing too - mine love a can of sardines or a ouch of cheap cat food. Seems to be quite the cure all.

All the best.

 

[craigcarter79]

Chicknmania that's the good foot its the top picture that's the one she's limping on but I will check the other foot closely thank you. And spikeschooks ive never heard of betadine but would detol antiseptic do the same thing?

 

[chicknmania]

Try soaking in slightly warm Epsom salts in water every day for a while. You can soak anywhere from five to fifteen minutes, ours can't usually stand more than five minutes,
but they do seem to enjoy the warm soak. Do that and then bathe with Betadine or antiseptic, the skin is softer and might be more receptive to absorbing the antiseptic.
Regardless if it's sprain or bumblefoot, the Epsom salts will help with both. Or should anyway. If I were you I'd just soak both feet.