Lame Chicken?

[eggUcation]

Hi Everyone, I am new to the forum.

I have a chicken who appears to be somewhat lame. I went in to the pen tonight to lock them in, and he was on the the ground, but standing. Then when I saw him walking he would take a step or so and appear to slip. I have brought him in and put him in a small cage, but I simply have no idea what to do. I checked him and there is no apparent break. He is also able to retract his leg. So when I had someone one hold him facing me I tickled the bottom of each foot and he retracted both up. So I doubt it is a high break? Does anyone have any ideas?

Thank you in advance.

 

[eggUcation]

I forgot to mention, he is crowing, completely alert and seems to be happy?

 

[chookchick]

Check on him in the morning and keep us posted. I have seen them favor a leg, but the next day all was fine.

Oh and

 

[eggUcation]

Thank you so much for repling to my thread and for your warm welcome!

I checked on him about 10 mins ago and he seems better. (Or at least I am seeing what I want to see, lol) I will check on him in the AM again and keep you posted. Thank you again.

 

[eggUcation]

Well, he has been in the garage in a cage for a few days, there seems to be minimal improvement. I will try and best explain what I am seeing.

He can stand, and can take some steps which seem to be normal. Then he will suddenly drop his wing as if to hold his balance. His legs will sort of shake, and he seem to have rubber legs. He does not outright fall over so I am very confused. The thing that totally stands out is that his tail is totally to one side? It is almost as if he buckles under the weight of his tail being to the side? He can almost hold it straight sometimes, but the majority of the time it is dropped to the left?

Does anyone have any idea what might be wrong? Is this likely neurological or some sort of symptom of a toxin?

He is eating well
His coat is glossy
He is in good health
There is no discharge or other symptom of illness.
He is about 6 months old.
He is crowing loud and proud.

Thank you

 

[kychickmom]

Hw could have a slipped tendon in his leg..we had a roo that had one and we coudn't fix it but he lived another 4 yrs and adapted well... The other chickens kinda helped him out some.. It was really sweet.. We had a Maran pullet this spring that started limping and favoring a leg and my mom splinted it with vet rap to give her some support and within a week she was better.. Try to hold him and move his leg.. compair it to the movement in the other one sometimes you can feel if something is out of place... If it is a slipped tendon you may be able to fix it.....Hope this helps..

 

[coop's chicks]

I posted a similar problem on here a while ago and someone told me that she may have just pulled a muscle or bruised something and sure enough, within a week she was back to normal. I did pick her up everyday and move it around gently and that didn't seem to bother her at all. Hope that's all that's wrong with yours.

 

[phoenixmama]

For what it's worth, I have a meat chicken right now that favors one of his legs. He always has though...from the time he was a little bitty. Normally, I would have just culled him and called it a day, but he seemed to act just fine. He eats and drinks, he's feisty, and none of the other chickens pick on him.

 

[eggUcation]

Thank you for your replies, I really hope he just pulled a muscle. He is a Golden Polish Rooster and is part of our breeding stock. So if it is something serious we would not want to put him back in with hens.

Has anyone seen a chicken with their tail ALL the bloody way to the side and it be a pulled muscle?