Limping Chicken, No sign of injury - PLEASE Help

[5Chances]

Hi, I am new here. A few years ago, we got a few chickens - now we have 12! I love to watch them! fun girls! But recently one of my ladies ( a RIR/Orpington Buff cross) has started limping on her left leg. I used to work at a vet so I am familier with looking for abscesses/injury but I see NOTHING. No sign of Bumblefoot. no sign of abscess on body. Leg joints don't appear swollen. Toes are all even on both feet. She seems a bit tender "in" her leg, maybe muscle/ligament strain? I know a lot about cats and dogs and horses but chickens stump me a bit. Waiting from a call from the vet but I am not sure how much help he can be, Is there a med to be given for inflammation in chickens?? If it is muscle strain seems this might help her. Also, if you think it could be muscle strain what can be done and how long till she feels better? She is eating/drinking OK her comb and waddle are bright red, eyes clear. It's been several days. She will walk only if she has to and she is sitting a good bit. I am putting food down in front of her & water so she doesnt have to strain much. this morning I THOUGHT she might be moving a bit faster but I also notices she lost some feathers (like the 4 in. ones) at the top of her wing?? that may have nothing to do with anything but I did notice it. it's bothering to see her in pain. Is there anything I can do to help her? Help appreciated!

 

[Eggcessive]

Strains in the legs are fairly common. You might want to put her in a dog crate with food and water for a day or two, then re-evaluate her. People do give aspirin to chickens, but I never have. My speckled sussex suffered a sprained leg recently and limped on one leg to get around for a month. During that time she could forage in the yard for food, hang out with friends, and hop up to a short roost at night. She is fine now. Chickens can also break legs.

 

[5Chances]

Thank you for your response. That makes me feel a little better. I want to give her something to help but I also don't want to give her anything that would hurt her. I feel fairly certain it's not a broken leg - At least I have seen no signs of a broken bone. Did your chicken sit a lot with her injury? Mine will hop around a little but she is sitting a lot- what seems to be a lot. to me. She seem sto be content to sit as long as her girls are near by, she doesn't like to be by herself

 

[ten chicks]

Thank you for your response. That makes me feel a little better. I want to give her something to help but I also don't want to give her anything that would hurt her. I feel fairly certain it's not a broken leg - At least I have seen no signs of a broken bone. Did your chicken sit a lot with her injury? Mine will hop around a little but she is sitting a lot- what seems to be a lot. to me. She seem sto be content to sit as long as her girls are near by, she doesn't like to be by herself

You could try an epsom salt soak,good for sprains/sore muscles. If broken,she will not put weight on her leg,feel up and down her leg. Also look at the bottom of her feet,you are looking for sores/scabs/bumps.