Hen Limping

[theacw]

Thank you so much for your help. My biggest fear of getting chickens was when they get sick, I will be completely helpless. I appreciate your advice!!!

She ate the yolk without a problem, LOVED it so she bit on the syringe and I just kept squeezing until it was gone. Keep feeding yolks until she stops?

 

[Sylvestor12]

Yeah, if you want, give her a small bowl partially filled with it. Make sure to offer her other stuff though. Eating is definately a good sign! Sounds sorta like how my guinea was acting but he had actually somehow torn his wing joint! Try to look for ANY types of wounds around her legs and hips. Tears like that can blend with her skin and be very well camoflauged. May she get better!

 

[seminolewind]

I think her laying eggs would point more towards a hurt leg or hip. Chickens with an active Marek's don't lay eggs. They get to paralysis pretty quick. Any age chicken can show symptoms, except real young.
Lime green poo , usually not hard , means they are not eating enough. Green is fine, and firm is okay.

I would still confine her and give her food and water. Try making mush out of layer crumbles, my chickens love that. Sometimes when chickens are injured, the are reluctant to come to the feeder. Before I start with a syringe, I would try with a spoon. Sometimes if you just leave them alone with food and water they decide that they want it. Don't get panicked yet!

 

[theacw]

Well that makes me feel better. I hope its not Mareks just because it would be a hard one to witness.

She is in good spirits and I did the syringe before I read your post and since she liked it so much, all she did was bite on and I just kept pushing more in as she ate it. Super easy, but I put it in a dish for the next rounds. I mixed in her pellets with more yolk. Hopefully you cant OD on yolk

I'll keep ya updated!
Thanks everyone!

-Oh and I was also going to add... I know this probably isnt related but just in case, a couple weeks ago she had TERRIBLE breath, it was awful. But it has been normal lately.

 

[Sylvestor12]

I can't be sure because I've never personally expierienced but it might've been sour crop.Not sure, maybe she ate some nasty smelling food!

 

[aoxa]

I don't think it's anything serious. Sounds just like my girl with the hip/leg injury. Only one leg stayed that way. She is still the same after 2 months, so it's not Maerks for my girl. She found a way to balance without putting so pressure on the bad foot.

Green poop doesn't really mean much> She could have eaten a lot of grass or greens. Check out the poop chart to compare.

http://pluckandfeather.com/chicken-poo-chart-graphic.html

 

[theacw]

Ok I hope so!

How long should I confine her? She keeps crying to get out! When is it safe to let her free range for a little bit?

 

[aoxa]

Ok I hope so!

How long should I confine her? She keeps crying to get out! When is it safe to let her free range for a little bit?

If the others aren't picking on her, let her out to stretch her good leg as long as you are there to watch them.

 

[theacw]

Alright, she is my top girl so that shouldnt be a problem and they havent turned on her at all. I would like to have her around at times because I dont want to screw up the pecking order. I am going through quite the battle with them after I added me new ones. Ugh what a chicken week.

And I totally forgot....... what do I do when she needs to lay an egg? She usually does around noon so should I let her out in a little bit and put her back in after egg time?

- Loved your chicken blog, beautiful chickens!

 

[aoxa]

Alright, she is my top girl so that shouldnt be a problem and they havent turned on her at all. I would like to have her around at times because I dont want to screw up the pecking order. I am going through quite the battle with them after I added me new ones. Ugh what a chicken week.

And I totally forgot....... what do I do when she needs to lay an egg? She usually does around noon so should I let her out in a little bit and put her back in after egg time?

- Loved your chicken blog, beautiful chickens!

Thank you

If she is not being bullied, and does not need to strain her bad leg to get to and from coop and food, I would leave her with the flock. Might as well make her happy while she heals. Doctors always tell us that exercise helps heal.

If you find she is doing too much, let her out from point A to point B. 8 am - 2pm OUT and after 2 she could be on rest.