Hen sprained leg (?) pls help!

[guest226]

Hi guys, i went out today and my laying hen Waffles looked off. She was in the corner. She looked disoriented, dropping her wing and tail, and not being able to stand properly. I suspected egg bound, but she laid a perfect egg in the morning.

Comb red, clear eyes, no cough or sneeze. Poop seems fine and normal.

I concluded it must be something with her leg. She started walking around and drinking and eating, but she has a noticeable limp and started hobbling to walk. It’s definitely her left foot as she lifts it/favors the other leg.

She’s being picked on and I think it happened when a fight broke out.

Advice on how to help a hen with sprained leg? I don’t wanna isolate her, i feel like she will be more stressed out but if she’s being picked on, it might be the best option.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Can you pick her up and examine the leg more closely for breaks, swollen joints, etc.?

 

[guest226]

Can you pick her up and examine the leg more closely for breaks, swollen joints, etc.?

Hi, yes I picked her up and I didn't feel anything loose or broken. No visable bruising or obvious swelling. I think the hock was the area she flinched when i touched it. Not obviously hot around the area but warm and feels similar to her other leg.

I have a cage setup I'm probably gonna put her in. My only concern is that I'm going on vacation in about a bit more than a week, and I don't know if shes going to heal. I do not want her to be in permanent pain or have a limp for the rest of her life, but this doesn't seem like a MILD sprain. It seems like a pretty decent one.

Should I cage her all day and let her out sometimes? Any advice on how to promote her healing?

 

[dawg53]

Please read Post #4 in this link:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/limping-chicken.1243650/