Lame Hens

[Sookie2020]

I have 2 hens that appear to have injured feet or legs. They won't walk on them and hobble around when they need to get somewhere. They are eating and drinking fine. Any ideas of what could be wrong? In the past, I've taken my girls to an avian vet. It just gets really expensive. If this is something I can treat on my own I'd rather. However, I will take them if I need to.

 

[Eggcessive]

How old are these chickens? What do you feed them? Do you have any pictures of the feet, footpads, and legs? Are they lame, limping, or walking on their hocks?

 

[Sookie2020]

These 2 hens are just less than a year old. They get fed a mix of layer feed and 7 way with a dusting of food grade diatomaceous earth. They won't hardly even walk, anymore, unless they just have to. If they do stand, they hold up the foot bothering them. One hen began limping while I had her in a different coop. The other hens were picking on her, so I removed her and put her with the hen and rooster she is in with now. The other hen began doing the same. Mites, maybe (didn't think this is it because of the DE)? It's dark here now, but I will get pictures of them tomorrow. I have them in with a rooster that is doing fine. He's quite protective of his girls, so getting them is going to be a challenge. These are Bantams, by the way.

 

[Sookie2020]

These 2 hens are just less than a year old. They get fed a mix of layer feed and 7 way with a dusting of food grade diatomaceous earth. They won't hardly even walk, anymore, unless they just have to. If they do stand, they hold up the foot bothering them. One hen began limping while I had her in a different coop. The other hens were picking on her, so I removed her and put her with the hen and rooster she is in with now. The other hen began doing the same. Mites, maybe (didn't think this is it because of the DE)? It's dark here now, but I will get pictures of them tomorrow. I have them in with a rooster that is doing fine. He's quite protective of his girls, so getting them is going to be a challenge. These are Bantams, by the way.

Oh, and I don't SEE any evidence of bumblefoot. In fact, I can't see any evidence of anything out of the norm.

 

[ChickNanny13]

How high are their roosts? Are they free range or confind? What is the flooring in your run/coop?

 

[Sookie2020]

Roosts are high enough to clear their feet off ground. Floor is dirt. They're not free range...the neighbors refuse to control their Pitts.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Mites, maybe (didn't think this is it because of the DE)?

Please take a video of them walking. Upload video to youtube and provide a link.

Photos of the hens, their coop/housing, their legs and the bottom of their feet too, in addition to the video of their actions may be helpful.

DE is not going to treat mites. Have you looked through their feathers for lice and mites? Do they have raised scales on their legs and feet?
Do they lay eggs, any problems laying eggs?

 

[Sookie2020]

Please take a video of them walking. Upload video to youtube and provide a link.

Photos of the hens, their coop/housing, their legs and the bottom of their feet too, in addition to the video of their actions may be helpful.

DE is not going to treat mites. Have you looked through their feathers for lice and mites? Do they have raised scales on their legs and feet?
Do they lay eggs, any problems laying eggs?

I will look at all this. They don't have trouble laying. I get the 1 egg per day from each hen. I'll get the video this afternoon if I get off work before dark. I may just take them to the vet. I need my babies healthy.

 

[Sookie2020]

Good news! My 2 hens are doing better. I soaked their feet everyday for about a week. There was no evidence of bumblefoot, but this worked.

 

[FalconLake]

Good news! My 2 hens are doing better. I soaked their feet everyday for about a week. There was no evidence of bumblefoot, but this worked.

Hi... I was wondering what you soaked their feet with. I have the exact same situation. Thanks so much. I'm so worried about them.