Hen limping, black specks and not using 1 leg much

[Joyze172]

4 days ago we moved our chickens into our garage for a few days due to the sub zero temps that were expected to avoid extreme cold related injuries. However I noticed 1 of my Wyandotte pullets (8 months old) limping.

She was not bleeding, no hot spots, eating/ drinking good, no weight loss, stool was normal, and no apparent bumblefoot lesions. I brought her in where she recieved an Epsom foot bath and pampering. Gave her a better foot inspection and she has multiple tiny black specs on top of only 1 of her feet and on the sides. So I put Iodine her whole leg /foot then neosporin and vet wrap. She has been resting in a dog crate the last few days.

I have included pics. Any advice on what I am dealing with? Is it bumblefoot? Illness?

How should I medically treat her poor foot?

 

[fldiver97]

Not sure if that’s a little bit of frostbite at the tip of a few toes. I would keep her in a crate or ‘fenced in ‘ area for a few days, make sure she can’t jump and see if her limp improves. If she has frostbite the areas that are blackened are dead and will come off. Keep an eye out for infection.

 

[Joyze172]

Not sure if that’s a little bit of frostbite at the tip of a few toes. I would keep her in a crate or ‘fenced in ‘ area for a few days, make sure she can’t jump and see if her limp improves. If she has frostbite the areas that are blackened are dead and will come off. Keep an eye out for infection.

Thank you for the advice! I will plan to keep her in the crate for a few more days. As I was looking at the pictures I noticed that spot as well. Doing a search on this forum for frostbite it seems I will know soon enough (by day 5) if it’s that as it will get more blackened.

Going to keep my on her!

 

[Joyze172]

Update:

She seems to be using her leg a bit more so I moved her to a bit bigger crate. She is using the leg to scratch the ground, scratch her head, standing on it for longer lengths of time but is still favors it. She also has a hard time single stance balancing on it, see video below.

 

[Eggcessive]

I think it is some mild frostbite in one foot. It doesn’t look bad though, but enough to cause pain. Many tines we won’t know the extent of frostbite for a couple of weeks. She seems to be protecting her foot by holding it up. Is she still separated from her flock? Are the others still in the garage with her or back out in their coop? She may feel more comfortable being with them. If you have them in the coop or in the garage, be sure they are on wide roosts to help prevent frostbite. Here are some articles to read:
https://the-chicken-chick.com/frostbit-in-backyard-chickens-causes/
http://www.poultrydvm.com/condition/frostbite

 

[Joyze172]

I think it is some mild frostbite in one foot. It doesn’t look bad though, but enough to cause pain. Many tines we won’t know the extent of frostbite for a couple of weeks. She seems to be protecting her foot by holding it up. Is she still separated from her flock? Are the others still in the garage with her or back out in their coop? She may feel more comfortable being with them. If you have them in the coop or in the garage, be sure they are on wide roosts to help prevent frostbite. Here are some articles to read:
https://the-chicken-chick.com/frostbit-in-backyard-chickens-causes/
http://www.poultrydvm.com/condition/frostbite

Thank you so much. I was starting to panic about Mareks disease so I have her seperate in the house garage. She can't seem to jump up or down on the roost yet in the main coop, prefers to sit on the floor. The other hens were picking at her foot. It's too cold to put her with the flock in a crate. Poor thing. She is getting "poultry cell" in oatmeal daily.

When I picked her up today to take a look at her foot I noticed she was not curling it up or trying to grab my hand when placed under it Like the other one. Should I be concerned?

The rest of the flock is back out in the main coop. Closely monitoring the rest for frostbite and so far so good. The main coop has 2x4 roosts with the 4" on top so it's the widest.

We have never experienced frostbite in our chickens before. The older chickens seem to sit on there feet. These young ones like to stand most of the night.

I took a picture of her foot today. It seems a bit more blackened.

 

[Eggcessive]

Well, I don’t know why she isn’t curling her toes, but it does look darker. I agree that she should stay inside, but some people don’t always have that ability to keep a chicken in the house. You could try a warm Epsom salts soak to her feet daily, and keep her on a soft towel. Vetericyn spray is good to use on frostbite as long as they are inside. I hope she gets better day by day.

 

[sourland]

It looks like frost bite/frozen foot to me too. I initially thought it was minor, but today's picture makes it look more significant. You are doing the right thing by her. She may lose toes or part of toes, but it generally does not impact quality of life afterwards.

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

Good luck with caring for her! Warmest wishes that she make a full recovery!

 

[Joyze172]

Does anyone know how long it takes for the stages of frostbite recovery? I can't seem to find an answer. I have seen pictures of the degree of it but not sure at what stage they were taken. I am looking for what to expect at 1 weeks, 2 weeks, ie.

At 4 days was my first post and pics of her feet. Yesterday was 6 days from when we brought her in and noticed. What should I expect at 10 days, 2 weeks, 3 weeks? How long until I know there will be no more dead tissue (black area progressing)?

This morning I saw her on the perch sleeping in the dog crate. Hoping that's a good sign.