How do you know if a chicken is in pain?

[renobeano]

We have a buff orpington rooster, about 3 years old, and he has always had a funny hopping kind of walk. We thought it might have been one of his spurs touching his other leg now and then that made him hop, but this last week or so I have been reviewing his whole situation. His gait is now so poor that I'm wondering if he's in pain. At times he overbalances backward and almost falls over and sometimes he crouches as he walks. And even when he's standing around he doesn't have that upright proud chest of other roosters. Can anyone advise?

Very late to the conversation, but I can suggest that you check for bumble foot. He may have a huge sore black spot under his foot. Start there because that's what it sounds like it is. If so, he needs to have that foot soaked until it is soft enough that it falls out and can heal. That sore progresses though and shows in how it makes their walk change. Check others too! Clean all your roosts too with very hot water and diluted vinegar. Hope he is better!

 

[renobeano]

I find this is true with most bird species. If they're hurt they'll seperate themselves from other chickens if it can be helped. They'll have their head so closed to the neck their feathers poof out around it and will fluff their feathers up. They'll even let their wings droop. One other thing is they keep their eyes closed and look almost like they're sleeping. They'll do these things if they're sick too.
If their pain is from an injury put proxide on it. The chicken might squawk but I pefer a chicken with injuries that are clean and hurt than a chicken with dirty injuries that could kill them. I've lost chickens to injuries like that. I also want to thank everyone else who posted because I can help my rooster better now.

Be careful with peroxide. It can injure or even kill tissue. Best to use Betadine or Blue Coat.
And never use Neosporin with analgesic gel added, plain Neosporin is ok though. The other one is toxic and will kill your bird even if you think it helps with pain.