Hen has knee injury

[louiseschwieker]

My hen has started limping 2 days ago and I checked her foot to make sure it was injured by squishing it, it didn't seem to hurt her. Moved her knee and hip around to see if it hurt her and her knee seemed to make her hurt. I separated her from the other chickens 2 days ago and today I gave her a baby aspirin for pain. She's eating and drinking but she's also been panting most of the day. If anyone has had this happen to any of their chickens or know what I can do please let me know what I should do. Thank you!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Generally leg injuries slowly improve as long as nothing is broken. It could take weeks, or even months depending on what is wrong.

Things like Mareks come to mind when a bird has leg troubles. Generally that is a leg forward, and it's more like paralysis.

If the other chickens aren't picking on it, I would leave it with the flock or you could have troubles putting it back.

 

[Isaac 0]

Is it hot out where you are?

 

[micstrachan]

Panting can be a sign of pain. Is she limping? I think isolation and rest are what she needs most right now. Make sure she stays hydrated. High protein treats (scrambled egg, sardines, etc.) can help the healing process if it's a soft tissue injury. Once she starts feeling better, err on the side of caution for letting her go about her normal routine. My girl reinjured herself the first day I let her out. Baby steps. Good luck!

 

[louiseschwieker]

It's about 70 degrees here right now so it's not really hot. I'll start feeding her protein packed foods like you said. She's still drinking on her own. The panting must be from pain. She's alone but today the rooster tried to get a hold of her so that probably made it worse. She's separated from everyone. At night I keep her in a dog crate and during the day she has a shaded kennel to herself. She always has water with her and kale. Should I continue to give her baby aspirin?

 

[micstrachan]

I'm sorry, but I do not know how long it is safe to administer baby aspirin to chickens. Can the shaded kennel be in the pen with the flock so reintroduction is easier later?

 

[louiseschwieker]

It's too big to go in there

 

[Isaac 0]

You can give her 1/4 Baby aspirin every day until she gets better.Keep her in a dog kennel inside.Does she have Chicken feed available?

 

[cheivilin]

My hen has started limping 2 days ago and I checked her foot to make sure it was injured by squishing it, it didn't seem to hurt her. Moved her knee and hip around to see if it hurt her and her knee seemed to make her hurt. I separated her from the other chickens 2 days ago and today I gave her a baby aspirin for pain. She's eating and drinking but she's also been panting most of the day. If anyone has had this happen to any of their chickens or know what I can do please let me know what I should do. Thank you!

I have a chicken that just happened to also! Her foot just hangs but I can't find anything wrong. I just make sure she gets to the water and food several times a day. And I am just waiting to see if she gets better. I just changed the roosting bars and I think they may be too high for the older girls. She may have hurt herself getting down.

 

[louiseschwieker]

She passed earlier today. I tried to get her to drink out of a bowl but she wouldn't. When she died water came from her nose and mouth. Last year I got 4 pullets from a guy that didn't take care if his chickens at all. She was one of them and all 4 have died relatively close to the next. It might be from malnutrition as chicks. I have no idea. But thank you all for your input.