Help

[Miss Chris]

Help I have a 5 month old hen who last week she somehow hurt her hock..she’s been limping and not putting any pressure on her bad leg at all. I treated her with aspirin according to the posts I have read but after 3 days no difference.... first I thought it was a sprain or break but today I noticed a small scab that I picked off because I thought It may me Bumblefoot...when I I picked the scab she bled a little so I cleaned it and then applied smileys drawing salve. Wrapped it up and sine she she has been acting weird she hasn’t laid any eggs yet but she was laying in the coop looking up at the nesting boxes so I put her in ....I’m attaching a video....I can not find a vet near me to help. Any advice. I also tried to treat her with a little ginger powder for pain but I didn’t notice any difference....these girls are my 1st babies so I can use any and all good tested into

 

[nchls school]

Birds usually heal up pretty fast and if the leg is not broken I would not worry overmuch. Examine the leg and thigh closely, try to limit her leg use, watch for signs of infection, and quite like she will be fine in a few days. Judging by comb/wattles she is or will lay soon. Best wishes.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Hi there, welcome to BYC!

First let me start by stating that pain is good thing and we should not always be in such a hurry to relieve it. Pain is the bodies way of slowing us down to prevent further injury. Pain is a symptom of something deeper and masking it might not help with diagnosis.

Sorry your pullet is limping! I only see a pic up there. You might need to upload your video to youtube or vimeo and post a link here. Also, please post a clear pic of the area you picked the scab off. Aside from that, do you see or feel any swelling or heat coming from the area indicating injury? When you handle her does she pull away in pain or normal don't handle me style? Where did she come from and how long have you had her? Was she vaccinated for anything or ever have to be treated for coccidiosis?

Looking at the lay boxes... she is getting close (I agree with the first poster it will be any time). They often start inspecting the lay boxes and may even practice a little before the real thing happens. Are they raised or why did you have to lift her in?

Is she staying with flock, eating and drinking mostly? How are droppings? What is being fed on a regular basis including treats and supplements?

If injury is ruled out.. next suspects are Marek's or vitamin deficiency (riboflavin).

Adding your general location to your profile can help folks make the best suggestions possible at a glance.

Hope she recovers quickly!

 

[Miss Chris]

Hi there, welcome to BYC!

First let me start by stating that pain is good thing and we should not always be in such a hurry to relieve it. Pain is the bodies way of slowing us down to prevent further injury. Pain is a symptom of something deeper and masking it might not help with diagnosis.

Sorry your pullet is limping! I only see a pic up there. You might need to upload your video to youtube or vimeo and post a link here. Also, please post a clear pic of the area you picked the scab off. Aside from that, do you see or feel any swelling or heat coming from the area indicating injury? When you handle her does she pull away in pain or normal don't handle me style? Where did she come from and how long have you had her? Was she vaccinated for anything or ever have to be treated for coccidiosis?

Looking at the lay boxes... she is getting close (I agree with the first poster it will be any time). They often start inspecting the lay boxes and may even practice a little before the real thing happens. Are they raised or why did you have to lift her in?

Is she staying with flock, eating and drinking mostly? How are droppings? What is being fed on a regular basis including treats and supplements?

If injury is ruled out.. next suspects are Marek's or vitamin deficiency (riboflavin).

Adding your general location to your profile can help folks make the best suggestions possible at a glance.

Hope she recovers quickly!

Wow thanks so much. I’m not home to post a new pic of her hock but I will answer as much as possible...

1st. Yes I do feel swelling right on and above the hock, as far as heat her wounded leg is no hotter than her other, however she’s bedded down mostly causing both legs to be warm so I’m not quite sure but no noticeable difference.

2nd yes clearly there is pain when I examine her but not in her foot area more around the hock and slightly above

3rd I purchased her and 11 others at 2 weeks old 6 months ago from tractor supply in August , all my other girls are doing great , 2 ended up to be roosters and luckily I found a farmer who took them in, I can visit them so I know they are safe. None of them have been vaccinated as far as I know

4th the lay boxes are raised and yes I had to lift her in and she laid her 1st egg today . 6 of my others have been laying for a couple of weeks so I knew she was ready by her look. So I’m happy about that.

5th her poop is very normal she is eating drinking and is getting a lot of extra kindness from my other girls which is why I don’t want to isolate her just yet. She seems happy with the girls.

6th and last lol she is eating the layer feed and I throw out scratch in the morning ( I’ve been bringing her own bowl of food/snacks/ veggies) and she’s eating normally.....I am very conscious about keeping them healthy and clean and they are all
Affectionate with me because I spend a lot of time with them

soooooo I hope I answered enough I appreciate your help thank you so much

 

[EggSighted4Life]

soooooo I hope I answered enough I appreciate your help thank you so much

great actually.

Sounds very much like an injury is likely, it can take time to heal. Limiting movement might help heal faster, but I agree staying with the flock is likely best, as you describe the situation.

Even though there is pain... consider not giving anymore aspirin since it is a blood thinner and allowing the discomfort to do its' job. In physical therapy, I learned the difference between discomfort and pain. Pain that is severe alters behavior, drastically sometimes... like avoiding others, not eating or doing normal activities, etc. Though ginger does have some anti inflammatory effect I wouldn't consider it effective for injuries, but would LOVE to see any documentation you have that shows it's efficacy as I AM here to learn as well.

Just make sure you keep your scratch to no more than 10% of the total daily intake.. it is often low in protein and does not have the added vitamins, minerals, and importantly amino acids that the ration does.

Seeing that lady appears to be a Delaware which is a dual purpose breed... you MIGHT consider using a flock raiser or grower feed (18-20%) with oyster shell free choice on the side for active layers. The 16% protein in most "layer" feeds is about the minimum need to keep a light bodied bird like Leghorn in good laying condition. Since making the switch... my birds have softer molts and return to lay sooner. It's not just the protein though, note the amino acids on the guaranteed analysis. My birds WERE fine when I did use layer and this is a personal preference (of mine) that gets touted on here by many others as well. It gives a little more wiggle room for those who like top feed treats.

Since my birds are ravenous first thing in the morning, I do my treats in the afternoon (4-5 or at least an hour or two before roost depending on season) after all ladies have finished laying and have accessed the regular feed (and pasture) most of the day already. As long as you keep it minimal so it isn't interfering with regular intake, then whatever works for YOUR routine is good.

You don't describe the leg as hanging like a dislocation or feeling like an actual break though, right?

Her first egg!