Is this Gout or MS or something else

[almostnadine]

Hello this is Matilda, an Americauna who is about a year and half old. I noticed yesterday that she was just laying down in the middle of the yard (somewhere I've never seen any of my chickens lie down). I reached out to pet her expecting her to jump up and run away (she's not really one for pets) and she did jump up but she only kind of limped away which then made me notice her feet. They are both very swollen, the toes on one foot look fairly swollen but not as much on the other foot. I posted pictures below. I feel pretty confident that it's not bumblefoot, which I have dealt with before- no scab she does have some darker areas on the bottom of her feet but those are her normal coloring and the skin there feels no different than the rest of the foot pad. From what I have read I mostly think it is either a type of gout or MS. She is the only one showing any symptoms of anything and the swollen feet are really the only symptom. I went ahead and separated her from the flock until I have a better idea what's going on. She has been breathing normally as well as eating and drinking. I do notice her going from foot to foot when she is standing. She also seems to have some normal poops and some pretty watery ones.
Any help would be greatly appreciated I really can't afford a vet right now but don't want to lose her or worse have her infect the flock with something. I know gout isn't contagious but that MS is and who knows about what else it could be.
Thank you

 

[dawg53]

Normally, older birds are susceptible to gout. If it were MS, there would be respiratory symptoms. Additionally, both diseases can show swollen hocks/tendons.

Since she is breathing normally and there's no gurgling, wheezing, and no other typical respiratory symptoms, and no other birds in your flock showing respiratory symptoms, I suspect it's gout. A change in diet may help.