Hen Limping

[shani914]

Hi my Orpington Buff is limping. There are no signs of blood, but she's not putting any weight on her foot so she's only hopping with one leg. Her injured leg is leaning forward and it's hard for her to stand. Any idea what it can be?

 

[iwiw60]

You need to inspect the bottom of that foot....almost sounds like it could be bumblefoot...pics please if you can!

 

[Eggcessive]

How old is your hen, and was she vaccinated for Mareks? Do you think she has injured the leg? Are your roosts very high? Can you see any redness, swelling of the joints, or any displacement of the bone? Look over her foot for signs of bumble foot (redness, swelling, and a dark spot on the footpad.) It would probably be best to cage her with food and water close to her for now. Vitamins in her water, especially the B Complex vitamins, would be beneficial if it is a vitamin deficiency.

 

[shani914]

 

[shani914]

My hen is about 6 1/2 months old. I don't know if she has been vaccinated, I bought her when she was 4 1-2 months old. I think she injured her leg but there is no signs of redness, swelling, etc. How large do you think the cage should be? The coop is fairly small, only able to hold 3-5 chickens. Here is a picture of the coop, its largest dimension is 6':

 

[iwiw60]

Need a really close up picture of the BOTTOM of her foot please.

 

[shani914]

Need a really close up picture of the BOTTOM of her foot please.

the bottom of her foot is normal. Do you still want a picture?

 

[iwiw60]

the bottom of her foot is normal. Do you still want a picture?

Yes, please.... super close-up....we might see something you're missing.

 

[Eggcessive]

I would just leave her in the coop then. The way she is sitting on her hocks looks a little like a riboflavin deficiency. That also can be a sign of Mareks disease, unfortunately. Sometimes a chicken with Mareks will hold one leg forward, too. I am going to give you some links to read on Mareks and riboflavin deficiency, but don't get too worried yet. Just give her some poultry vitamins starting tomorrow, since riboflavin deficiency has to be treated quickly or it may not help. Here are the links:
http://partnersah.vet.cornell.edu/avian-atlas/#/disease/Marek's_Disease
http://extension.unh.edu/resources/files/Resource000791_Rep813.pdf
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq
http://www.thepoultrysite.com/publications/6/diseases-of-poultry/217/vitamin-b2-deficiency

 

[shani914]

Turns out that there is some redness at the joint, shown in the first picture:

Also, I don't think that there is a problem with her foot: