Lethargic chicken, black toe/swollen foot.

[Smallflock317]

She’s about two years old and over the past winter I brought her in when it got really cold because she wouldn’t roost and seemed lethargic. She always ate and drank well, and her poop seemed normal, so I would put her back out in the mornings. Her comb faded and she has less energy than the others but other than that she seemed ok. It’s warmer weather now and while she still runs around the yard some with the flock, eats, and drinks, she seems lethargic and hasn’t laid in about 8 months. She still has to be manually roosted at night to keep her from sleeping in the nesting boxes. I noticed she was crusty around her vent so I brought her in for a bath today and after she was all cleaned up I noticed her toe was black. She has a slight limp but it’s not super noticeable. Any idea what this is or what I can do to help her?

 

[QuailExpert]

Toe might be the result of frostbite. I don’t know why she would be lethargic though.

 

[Eggcessive]

Yes that looks like a little frostbite. Not too bad, but will lose the toe tip and nail. Feel her chest for weight loss, and her lower belly for enlargement. She could be suffering from a reproductive disorder, such as internal laying. Also feel of her crop to see if it is firm or puffy, and in early morning, see if her crop has emptied normally. If not she may be suffering from a crop problem.

 

[Smallflock317]

Yes that looks like a little frostbite. Not too bad, but will lose the toe tip and nail. Feel her chest for weight loss, and her lower belly for enlargement. She could be suffering from a reproductive disorder, such as internal laying. Also feel of her crop to see if it is firm or puffy, and in early morning, see if her crop has emptied normally. If not she may be suffering from a crop problem.

Thank you! I will check her out and see if she's showing any of those symptoms.