Hen not using one leg

[ChristieB]

Hi guys! Hoping you can give me some ideas because I’m at the point of culling my only blue egg layer!
Around a month ago she started limping, I checked her out, more than once, no sign of any injury, infection, bumblefoot etc just this limp, it continued without much change with me checking her over at least once a week not finding anything obvious. last week she was in a corner of the coop and I noticed that she wasn’t standing at all, when I moved towards her she tried to use her wings to move away, I immediately isolated her, the affected leg has lost all muscle tone, she moves it at the hip but can’t move it below the knee joint, and the foot doesn’t appear to have any sensation (though chickens being chickens she could just be not showing pain) I can’t feel any breaks and there’s normal range of motion when I move it she just can’t do it herself, how would I tell if it’s dislocated? I have no idea what to do and I hesitate to spend what little money I have on a vet who will just tell me to euthanise her.

Ps she’s still eating drinking pooping though is definitely losing condition which can be expected

 

[ChristieB]

Hen in question is 18 months and not currently laying since her autumn moult (its winter so no one is laying right now)

 

[ChristieB]

Bumping, hoping for some advice please

 

[BugStalker]

I don't know. Maybe @casportpony @Wyorp Rock or @Eggcessive might have some advice?

 

[Eggcessive]

Sorry about your hen @ChristieB . It sounds like she has had a bad injury to her leg, causing nerve damage, but she also could have Mareks disease. It can be hard to care for a permanently lame chicken, especially if she is having trouble getting up now. They will have trouble getting enough to eat and drink, and eventually starve. The other chickens may start attacking them, pecking the comb and will gang up. Keeping her separated and near her food and water is best. Placing her in a chicken sling or chair with her food and water in front of her for periods of time would help. Eventually, if she does not improve, you may want to put her down so that she doesn’t suffer. Then you could have your nearest poultry lab vet perform a necropsy, to look for a cause of lameness. They can usually tell with a necropsy if there is Mareks disease, and can have her tested if you want to confirm it.

 

[Eggcessive]

Here is a necropsy option for Queensland, AU:
https://www.business.qld.gov.au/ind...ests-weeds-diseases/sample-testing/submitting