Lame Silkie

[lw063083]

I would love some input on my current situation: my silkie has been super broody for weeks, if not longer-- she will stay in the nest box with two other silkies. Recently, when she did emerge, she was limping, more like dragging her lame leg. After a few days of no improvement, I've brought her inside to rehabilitate. Tonight, I bathed her and checked her-- she had a bunch of poop crusted around her rear which I've cleaned/cut off. Legs and feet seem fine although the lame leg looks a bit smaller. I've moved her legs and they move fine. She is eating a little, there's food in her crop. I have not seen her poop yet (she's been outside until tonight). After bathing, ive put her in a crate with food and water, but she is just resting at the moment. She has not been roosting, so it wasn't a fall. She is at least 2-3 years old. Any input? I appreciate your help!

 

[ten chicks]

I would love some input on my current situation: my silkie has been super broody for weeks, if not longer-- she will stay in the nest box with two other silkies. Recently, when she did emerge, she was limping, more like dragging her lame leg. After a few days of no improvement, I've brought her inside to rehabilitate. Tonight, I bathed her and checked her-- she had a bunch of poop crusted around her rear which I've cleaned/cut off. Legs and feet seem fine although the lame leg looks a bit smaller. I've moved her legs and they move fine. She is eating a little, there's food in her crop. I have not seen her poop yet (she's been outside until tonight). After bathing, ive put her in a crate with food and water, but she is just resting at the moment. She has not been roosting, so it wasn't a fall. She is at least 2-3 years old. Any input? I appreciate your help!

Her vent area is ok? No vent gleet or prolapse? Never let a broody hen sit and sit if she isn't hatching eggs. Dangerous to their health,to break a broody put her in a cage with a wire bottom,you want air to circulate under her and on her breast. Broodiness is tied to elevated body temp. Give her food and water,keep her somewhere where she can see light(broody hens love the dark)you want to do the opposite from what she wants. The longer a hen is broody,the longer it will take to break her. When they are broody,they do not look after themselves,do not eat properly,etc. This could be the problem,she has just neglected herself. As for her leg,try an epsom salt soak,good for sprains sore muscles. Soak for approx. 15-20 mins. You could also give her some electrolytes and vitamins if you think she is not eating. Give her some of her favorite foods,see if she will eat/drink.

 

[lw063083]

Thank goodness- Her vent looked great (for a chicken butt!). She had a mess stuck to her feathers that I had to trim. As I was washing I noted her vent looked very clean and was reacting to the running water

 

[lw063083]

Update: she seems very lethargic. Just wants to curl up and sleep. Force fed her diluted Gatorade. I don't know how we can save her! I'm wondering if she is actually older than I think (we bought her as an adult), and this is her time???