Hen sidesteps, keeps low to the ground...

[1ChickenKeeper]

Hey all.

My Sussex speckled hen, Pearl just got up from lying down, I believe, and she kept her body low to the ground, and sidestepped, in a diagonal line. We think she had a pulled muscle, but is it something else..? She's fine now, but..

She has a permanent limp, so we're also wondering if she can't put weight on that leg anymore and that's why she's sidestepping..

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

How old is she, could be Mareks.

 

[1ChickenKeeper]

How old is she, could be Mareks.

She's about 2 years old.

It could be Marek's, but she got the limp from a surprise raccoon attack from freaking out, but it still could be Marek's...

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Hopefully she just sprained the foot and recovers, I believe she's too old to be showing symptoms of Mareks, leg injuries can take months to heal, just make sure she's not being bullied if you have other chickens. As long as she eating and drinking and looks healthy besides the strange gait, I wouldn't worry too much, just give her some time and maybe keep her from moving around too much.