How often do chickens get keel injuries? Or maybe my girl has botulism?

[The_Flock]

Whoops...my reply eneded up in the reply area. Lol.
Thank you very much for your help.

 

[casportpony]

Is this what you are seeing?

 

[The_Flock]

Welcome To BYC, I'm sorry to hear about Louise

If you have photos those may be helpful.
You mention that her keel is going off to the side and she's in pain. Any bruising or sores like a breast blister on the keel? Could she have fallen from a high roost or been injured somehow?

Another thought would be she has a deformity of the keel bone and as she's growing it's curving more. Have you noticed as she was getting older if her legs are straight under her or do they twist, turn or look a bit rotated?

If you have vet care that would be best since she's in a lot of pain. An Xray would hopefully reveal whether it's a break/fracture or deformity and give you a get a better idea of what you can do for her.

She very well could've come off the roost in an odd way. What's the recommended height for a roost? Mine is at about 3.5 feet height.

I'm not in a position to get her an xray. ☹

 

[Wyorp Rock]

She very well could've come off the roost in an odd way. What's the recommended height for a roost? Mine is at about 3.5 feet height.

I'm not in a position to get her an xray. ☹

3.5' doesn't sound too high for me unless the landing area is very small (like they have to fly into the opposite wall).
Very understandable about the xray, vet care is expensive - that's why BYC exists and is so popular

 

[The_Flock]

Is this what you are seeing?

No. What I'm seeing is her keel looking like it's all bent to her right. It could very well be that she's lost weight from being hurty and her muscles aren't supporting her properly now. But she seems to be in pain in the sling...but gets poop all over her and super HOT if she's not in the sling. Poor girl. I can't wait to get pics and a video.

 

[casportpony]

No. What I'm seeing is her keel looking like it's all bent to her right. It could very well be that she's lost weight from being hurty and her muscles aren't supporting her properly now. But she seems to be in pain in the sling...but gets poop all over her and super HOT if she's not in the sling. Poor girl. I can't wait to get pics and a video.

Wet her feathers, that will make it easier to photograph the bone, then take pictures.

 

[The_Flock]

Is this what you are seeing?

@casportpony what is going on with the keel in this pic you shared?

 

[casportpony]

@casportpony what is going on with the keel in this pic you shared?

I believe that happens when a hen does not get enough calcium, but don't quote me on that. Let me do more research. FWIW, I've seen that in a couple of mine and it didn't seem to bother them.

 

[The_Flock]

Wet her feathers, that will make it easier to photograph the bone, then take pictures.

Good idea. I'll see what I can do.

 

[casportpony]

Rickets is another thing that comes to mind.