It’s been semi-cold to cold here lately. One of my hens started favoring one foot the other day. It was mid-30s that day, but at night has dropped to single digits. She seems fine otherwise, alert, eating, etc.
I checked her foot for frostbite and it is not discolored. She had not gone outside. I think maybe she slipped on the ramp on one of the cold days and injured it. We added a second bale of shavings to the coop today so there is about 6 inches of shavings for them to walk on. Figured it would be softer on her feet. Tonight she is roosting in the bottom nesting box instead of the roost bar.
Tomorrow will be around 40 during the day, but it will be in the negatives at night starting Thurs evening.
What can I do to help my poor girl? We’ve inspected her foot and there is no noticeable markings. Here is a closeup. It’s the top foot she is lifting and won’t put full weigh on. She is still scooting around the coop but staying in.
Any advice? Id love to move her inside for a few days but how they heck would I acclimate her back into the cold without shocking her system.
Thanks so much.
I checked her foot for frostbite and it is not discolored. She had not gone outside. I think maybe she slipped on the ramp on one of the cold days and injured it. We added a second bale of shavings to the coop today so there is about 6 inches of shavings for them to walk on. Figured it would be softer on her feet. Tonight she is roosting in the bottom nesting box instead of the roost bar.
Tomorrow will be around 40 during the day, but it will be in the negatives at night starting Thurs evening.
What can I do to help my poor girl? We’ve inspected her foot and there is no noticeable markings. Here is a closeup. It’s the top foot she is lifting and won’t put full weigh on. She is still scooting around the coop but staying in.
Any advice? Id love to move her inside for a few days but how they heck would I acclimate her back into the cold without shocking her system.
Thanks so much.
