Leg injury

[Rugersmom]

I have a rooster that started limping about 2-3 days ago. I checked over his feet and legs and can’t find a visible injury, no swelling, no bumbles, the leg also seems weak. I’m thinking it could be his hip. I have him separated in my “hospital” coop. Since he’s not moving much he also has poop caked on his feathers (ugh) he is my back-up rooster, but I hate to cull before giving him a chance to heal up. He is also buddies with our third rooster and they’re inseparable! I hate for the low man in the flock to be left without his one friend. The injured roo is a Swedish Flower and he’s a gorgeous bird. Anyone have suggestions for a hip injury? Thanks

 

[Eggcessive]

How old is he? Was he vaccinated for Mareks disease? He might have a sprain from an injury, especially since you have a couple of other roosters. Sprains can be common, and may take days or weeks to heal, if ever. It could be helpful to get an xray by a vet, if that is possible, to rule out a dislocation or fracture, but may not be possible. Does he hold his leg up to walk, or does he put weight on it? Do you have any pictures of his leg or could you upload a short video to YouTube or Vimeo with a link posted here? I would try to force him to rest the leg and prevent jumping up a down on roosts.

 

[Rugersmom]

He’s about a year old, not vaccinated. He gives the head rooster a wide berth & I’ve never seen them fight. I removed the roosting bar from the coop he’s resting in. He will put weight on the leg, when he walks it almost looks like he was goose stepping. He kind of kicks that leg up to take a step.

 

[Eggcessive]

Check him for scaly leg mites (grey crusts or loose scales.) Usually Mareks affects chickens several months old, but can happen in any age if they are exposed to a carrier. Have you brought in any new birds in recent months? Hopefully, it is an injury, but if you would like to read about Mareks disease, here is some reading:
https://extension.umd.edu/sites/extension.umd.edu/files/_docs/programs/poultry/FS-1007 Recognizing and Preventing Mareks Disease in Small Flocks.pdf

http://csu-cvmbs.colostate.edu/Documents/vdl-mareks-disease-fact-sheet.pdf

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq.66077/