Limping Chicken

[Sandra Verbreyt]

So it appears that my chicken may have eaten something to make her leg limp. She can move it and can stand on it but seems to be in pain when she does. If it does not get better can my chicken still survive with only one good working leg as everything else on her seems fine?

 

[Meg-in-MT]

Have you checked the bottom of her feet for sores/lesions/scabs?

 

[Sandra Verbreyt]

I have not done that. I will check her foot and if it has a sore etc what do I need to do?

 

[Meg-in-MT]

If she has bumblefoot, you should see the telltale black scab on her foot. If that's the case, you should look up bumblefoot on this site. (If I knew how to add attachments I would! Sorry...) There is a ton of information and there are a couple different schools of thought on how to treat it. Just make sure to check top and bottom for any swelling and check her leg out as well. She may have injured it jumping off of the roost. Are they very high? Or is she possibly on the bottom of the pecking order? Sometimes they can get a sprain or injure a toe.

 

[Meg-in-MT]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...our-chickens-with-surgery-graphic-pics.47705/

 

[Meg-in-MT]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/bumblefoot-treatment.72887/

If this is indeed what it is, I would try this option first. But that is just my opinion. But it could very well be something else. Give her a good checkup and see what you find.

 

[aart]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...our-chickens-with-surgery-graphic-pics.47705/

This is extreme and a last resort IMO.

First, find out if she does have any wound, infected or not.
Birds can suffer mild strains and sprains, just like we do.
It can take weeks to recover, as long as she can get around good enough to eat and drink, just leave her be.

If limp is really bothering them by inhibiting their normal activities too much, I will isolate them in a crate to 'force' rest for a day or two. Letting them out late in day, an hour before roost time, to give them a stretch and evaluate their mobility, then decide if they need another day and put them back in crate off roost after dark. Repeat stretch and eval the next day until they are better. Keep crate in coop so bird can remain 'with' the flock.

 

[Meg-in-MT]

This is extreme and a last resort IMO.

First, find out if she does have any wound, infected or not.
Birds can suffer mild strains and sprains, just like we do.
It can take weeks to recover, as long as she can get around good enough to eat and drink, just leave her be.

If limp is really bothering them by inhibiting their normal activities too much, I will isolate them in a crate to 'force' rest for a day or two. Letting them out late in day, an hour before roost time, to give them a stretch and evaluate their mobility, then decide if they need another day and put them back in crate off roost after dark. Repeat stretch and eval the next day until they are better. Keep crate in coop so bird can remain 'with' the flock.

Completely agree.

 

[Sandra Verbreyt]

My chicken has ben to the vet and apparently has an infection in her ankle and elbow like arthritis says the vet. I have an antibiotic for her which will be fun trying to give it and it is for 10 days. The vet says she should be ok by then . Yesterday she came out for a little walk (limp) around and then went back in. She is eating and drinking so fingers crossed seh wil now improve. I now have to work on getting her to put weight on as the vet says she is a little underweight. Any suggestions anybody???

 

[aart]

My chicken has ben to the vet and apparently has an infection in her ankle and elbow like arthritis says the vet. I have an antibiotic for her which will be fun trying to give it and it is for 10 days. The vet says she should be ok by then . Yesterday she came out for a little walk (limp) around and then went back in. She is eating and drinking so fingers crossed seh wil now improve. I now have to work on getting her to put weight on as the vet says she is a little underweight. Any suggestions anybody???

What antibiotic did they prescribe and how is it administered(injection/pill/liquid)?
Does this vet have avian experience and treat a lot of birds??

What and how exactly are you feeding now?