Hen with swollen/infected leg

[BlueShadow]

This morning I noticed one of my hens was lame. I am sure its been going on at least a little while, but I have been busy the past several days and unable to sit back and observe them as I like to, so can't say exactly when it started. This hen was sitting by herself, feathers fluffed, reluctant to move. When she did move, she was favoring her right leg.

When I examined it, I noticed that the leg (from hock to foot) was swollen and slightly warmer than the other leg. She had a leg band on this leg, so I took it off. I suspect the leg band was the source of the problem. It had poked a small (~1 mm diameter) hole in her leg. The wound did not have any infection or fluid oozing from it, did not smell or look bad.

Her foot looked good, no signs of bumblefoot. I will admit that she wasn't being terribly cooperative so I stopped my examination when I got to the leg band. I could have missed something above the hock, hidden by feathers.

So, question #1: Is it possible that the leg band caused this swelling? It seems a little odd to me given that the wound was so small and so clean. I can also imagine that the swelling happened first, and that is why the leg band poked through her skin (these bands fit just slightly snug, but not tight, on the other hens of the same breed & age). If something else, what should I be looking for?

Question #2: Other than keeping the wound clean, is any other treatment recommended/necessary?

 

[Abriana]

Keep the wound clean, and if it looks infected you may need to use stronger medicine.
Likely the leg band caused this trouble. It is very important to check the size of the leg bands often. They can ride up on the bird’s leg and cause him/her to become lame and often the keeper notices too late and the hen can become lame for life. Luckily you caught it before too much trouble occurred. Wait until the wound is healed and the swelling is gone and replace the leg band with a looser one, and check fit often.

 

[Eggcessive]

Leg bands frequently can cause swollen legs if they get too tight. They can cut into the leg tissue and get infected. Some can lose the leg if it is not discovered in time. I would put some betadine on the wound, and make sure the swelling goes down. It is good you caught this, and I would look at or remove the other leg bands on the other chickens.

 

[BlueShadow]

I would look at or remove the other leg bands on the other chickens.

Ah, sadness to remove all the leg bands... how else do I keep track of who is who? They all look alike! I have about 15 Buckeye hens, they all are a pretty deep red color, but that makes individual identification difficult.