High Stepping Hen?

[GranolaGirl]

One of my 12 week EE's has been walking funny lately. She sometimes holds one foot up and walks as though she is "High-stepping". Our roosting bars are made of branches and she doesn't roost in the same place (if at all) so I doubt it is bumblefoot. Any ideas?

 

[sourland]

Check to make sure that her foot is not frozen. Upon the rare occasion that a chicken gets a frozen foot, they will develop an exaggerated gait with the affected foot being lifted higher than normal.

 

[GranolaGirl]

Thank you for your quick reply. How would I remedy that?

 

[mypicklebird]

you need to pick up the hen and examine the foot, hock and stifle/knee. Pay close attention to the central foot pad and her nails. High stepping is *usually* due to pain- there is likely something wrong with her foot. Bumblefoot, some trauma, scaly leg mites, frost bite, broken toe nail ect. Just because she roosts on branches or different places does not mean she does not have bumblefoot. Bumblefoot is due to a penetrating foot injury and secondary infection- nail, thorn, animal bite, poky on the perch- lots of things can cause it.