Hen acting strangely- thoughts?

[Astrid]

I have a Jersey Giant Hen, probably five years old, and until very recently in perfect health.

She is bright and has an appetite and drinks, but seems sore, somehow. She lays down to eat, and seems to walk gingerly, as if it pains her to do so. Her tail is pointing straight down most of the time, but she’s not lethargic, dull, or “inward,” she just seems to have difficulty getting around. When I pick her up, her toes seem to curl up and don’t right themselves all the time when I set her on the table. I’ve been giving her a scrambled egg and vitamins in the evening, and she’s chatty and hungry.

I’ve inspected her carefully- no parasites, comb is bright red, legs are not swollen, no injuries, plumage is lush and healthy, eyes and nares clear. Vent is pink and healthy; no sign of being egg bound. Other than seeming to have trouble getting around and onto the roost at night, she seems healthy. The rest of the flock is fine.

Any ideas what this is, or what I can do to support her?

 

[aart]

Is her belly swollen?
Poops good?

 

[Eggcessive]

She definitely has the posture of a hen who is uncomfortable. I would as aart suggested, feel of her lower belly to check if it is enlarged, tight or spongy. Feel of her crop to check that it is emptying overnight. Hens with internal laying or egg yolk peritonitis may have problems walking, jumping up to roost, and prefer to lie down.

She may have injured a leg or hip in jumping. I had a large hen like her that must have had a long term leg injury. She limped for 2 years, but always chose to follow her flock everywhere they went, up and down the hill, but would lie around. Eventually she started losing weight, and I put her down when she didn’t seem to enjoy life anymore. I suspected a spiral leg fracture.

 

[Astrid]

Is her belly swollen?
Poops good?

Belly not swollen; poop normal.

 

[Astrid]

She definitely has the posture of a hen who is uncomfortable. I would as aart suggested, feel of her lower belly to check if it is enlarged, tight or spongy. Feel of her crop to check that it is emptying overnight. Hens with internal laying or egg yolk peritonitis may have problems walking, jumping up to roost, and prefer to lie down.

She may have injured a leg or hip in jumping. I had a large hen like her that must have had a long term leg injury. She limped for 2 years, but always chose to follow her flock everywhere they went, up and down the hill, but would lie around. Eventually she started losing weight, and I put her down when she didn’t seem to enjoy life anymore. I suspected a spiral leg fracture.

Would she have such a good appetite if she had egg yolk peritonitis? From the beginning I’ve suspected some sort of ortho issue, as otherwise she looks and acts pretty healthy. She’s an older lady, and is one of my broodiest, so I’m thinking of putting my four 3 week old chickens out with her in a separate part of the coop. That might give her something to do and a group to belong to, and help the chicks integrate.