Hen has been limping several weeks…

[JacquelyninCali]

My Dolly is 1.5 yrs old, she’s heavier than my other hens so i thought maybe a sprain but it’s been a few weeks. I have her in a crate now during the day to heel and put her in the coop at night. We keep inspecting her foot but can’t seem to see anything. Thought I’d ask you all since I’m pretty new to chickens. Do you notice anything on her foot? The pad looks a little pink but other than that i cannot see anything. Thanks for any help or suggestions!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

My Dolly is 1.5 yrs old, she’s heavier than my other hens so i thought maybe a sprain but it’s been a few weeks. I have her in a crate now during the day to heel and put her in the coop at night. We keep inspecting her foot but can’t seem to see anything. Thought I’d ask you all since I’m pretty new to chickens. Do you notice anything on her foot? The pad looks a little pink but other than that i cannot see anything. Thanks for any help or suggestions!

The footpad looks different.
Almost like there's a callus and crevice there. Can you spread the foot apart to see if there's any debris in the crevice or evidence of infection?

 

[JacquelyninCali]

The footpad looks different.
Almost like there's a callus and crevice there. Can you spread the foot apart to see if there's any debris in the crevice or evidence of infection?

View attachment 4032841

Hi, yes that area you are pointing to was scabbed, i forgot to mention. 2-3 days ago we cleaned the foot, picked the scab off and tried to express any more puss etc from jt. We then cleaned off, wiped with rubbing alcohol and pitted a drawing salve on it and bandaged it up. The picture above is after taking the bandage off and rewashing. I decided not to re bandage and just to keep her in a separate crate with food and water. Should i re bandage?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hi, yes that area you are pointing to was scabbed, i forgot to mention. 2-3 days ago we cleaned the foot, picked the scab off and tried to express any more puss etc from jt. We then cleaned off, wiped with rubbing alcohol and pitted a drawing salve on it and bandaged it up. The picture above is after taking the bandage off and rewashing. I decided not to re bandage and just to keep her in a separate crate with food and water. Should i re bandage?

Oh so the bruising may be due to trying ot express the scab and perhaps wrappings too tight or the foot pad got folded under somehow.

No, I would wrap again.

I'd try just soaking the foot in epsom salts daily, leave her to her own devices if she's able to get to feed water and is not being picked on.

 

[JacquelyninCali]

Ok thank you for your help i will try soaking daily and re wrap. She does seem to love the foot soaks

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Ok thank you for your help i will try soaking daily and re wrap. She does seem to love the foot soaks

Take care that the wrappings are not too tight and that the footpad is not being mashed in the wrappings. Change daily or more frequently if the wrapping gets wet.

After a few days, if the foot is not looking better with wrapping it, then leave them off and see if that makes a difference.