Hen won't use one leg

[FlyingNunFarm]

She is molting on top of it all! Poor thing. Like life wasn't hard enough already.
She doesn't like me picking her up. That wasn't her favorite to begin with but with the molt I know she's more sensitive. She seems to settle if I hold her in my lap. But now it's "Hold me and hand feed me or I'm not eating."
Before I could sit next to her and she would eat. I started holding her to give her good leg a rest. Now she expects it. Little stinker! I don't mind it I just found it odd. Maybe she feels insecure and vulnerable cause she's molting. I know her poor sister is in hiding. She doesn't have any tail feathers. It's like she doesn't want to be seen looking the way she does. LOL
I was glad she ate a healthy amount of lunch. More salmon and almonds tomorrow I guess. See if she starts to perk up again.

 

[FlyingNunFarm]

So I've noticed that her knee seems swollen and stiff. I had seen a response you had given to someone else about a joint infection. (Of course I can't find it now)
It feels like her muscle is hardened around the joint.
Any thoughts?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

So I've noticed that her knee seems swollen and stiff. I had seen a response you had given to someone else about a joint infection. (Of course I can't find it now)
It feels like her muscle is hardened around the joint.
Any thoughts?

I know you examine her often. Since she is not as active and is probably resting more, is there any scab, blister, etc. on the joint like a pressure sore? You can try soaking in espsom salts to see if that helps. Molting is hard on the system and sometimes this is when an underlying condition crops up. It's so very frustrating with chickens, so many things can be intertwined it's hard to nail things down sometimes.

 

[FlyingNunFarm]

She always lays on her good leg. I think it's easier for her to get up from that position. I was surprised by how stiff feeling it. It moves fine but to pinch the muscle between my fingers it's hard.
I feel like she needs deep tissue massage with warm stones. (Or maybe that's me)
I don't know what to do for her poor thing.

 

[FlyingNunFarm]

Bad leg vs good leg.
She's on her back while I attempted to get pictures. You can see how large her knee is compared to the other. Her skin is also yellow up her bad leg.

In this one I'm pulling her bad leg downward. Her other leg is resting in that stretched out position. Poor thing is very thin and it really shows how big her knee is. It also won't go as straight as the other. She wasn't happy about being on her back but didn't give me signals that made me think I was hurting her.
I'm at a total loss here.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Oh I wish I had answers for you, but I just don't know

It's so very frustrating (and heartbreaking) when they get to a point you know they are starting to decline and it seems like you have tried everything you can think of and nothing is working.

 

[FlyingNunFarm]

She happily eats in my lap. Gets chicken massage and some physical therapy.
I sing "wheels on the bus" while bicycling her legs. She clucks a little and just looks at me. LOL
I'll keep feeding her and see how she goes. Maybe the molt was too much strain and she'll feel a little better once it's over. I'm probably grasping at straws but she seems fine otherwise.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Awwww....you just tickle my heart! LOL I can just imagine your therapy sessions, this is so sweet.

It never hurts to hope for improvement.

 

[FlyingNunFarm]

She's one of my oldest girls. I've lost all but two of my original flock. I got them all as rescues. (Unwanted older girls) I hate to see something as seemingly simple as a swollen knee take her down.
I'm not ready to give up yet. I'll know when it's time. Never an easy decision but one I've had to make more then I'd like.

 

[FlyingNunFarm]

I thought I'd update. I started giving her turmeric in her wet mash. It's supposed to be anti-inflammatory so I figured it wouldn't hurt. She eats it's pretty good but is back to not wanting me to hold her. I bring her food out to the coop and set her off to the side with it. I keep the other vultures at bay while she eats.
She looks dreadful. In full on molt mode with feathers falling out and sheathes flying around. She is unfortunately very skinny but her poops look good and her crop is generally full.
I think she just feels like crap. I can't blame her. Limping and balding I don't think I've be very happy.
I've actually seen her use her leg more. She will put her foot down at times so that's a slight improvement.
As long as she's willing to eat and make a go of it I'll keep trying. I'm hoping once this molt is over she can concentrate on feeling better not growing feathers.