So my little 9mo. old hen Caroline (actually my little chick I had to do surgery on in a previous post) has an injured leg. Pretty positive it's an injury, but not sure how she got it. I had them out free ranging and had just been talking to her and saw her moving around just fine when I was putting some scratch and rooster food out. 15 minutes later I see them picking on her and she's severely limping on one leg. I took her inside washed her foot and leg really well to inspect it very closely. No notable injuries. I felt it very carefully from the hip all the way down, could not notice a difference between that one and the other. I do not believe there is a break or dislocation. I'm hoping it's sprained or pulled or something. I have her in her own little enclosure right now so she doesn't get picked on or try to jump on or off anything. This is day three and she was hesitating to use it more than when it first happened. So I'm imagining it is pain and inflammation. I gave her a half a baby aspirin and she has definitely perked up. She'll even stand up on the good leg and straighten her toes and foot out like she wants to put it on the ground but when she does she pulls it back up like it hurts. She's eating and drinking really well and seems fine in every department except that leg. BUT She is not laying. She lays almost everyday. I know it's normal to stop at a stressful time like this. But do I need to worry about her getting blocked or becoming egg-bound? How does that work? Do they stop making eggs or do they hold them in? I'm so worried about a secondary issue now.
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