limping chicken

[chickenlady12]

Hello. I noticed a few weeks ago that my Speckled Sussex was sitting around more than usual. She was also dusting herself, so I went out to check for mites. I saw a few, and I cleaned the coop and dusted it and the chicken, although I saw no bugs on her. I see no bugs in the coop now. I also have a Rhode Island Red, but I acquired her recently and am still trying to get her to come to me, so I didn't dust her. I then noticed my Sussex limping. I examined her feet for mites and bumblefoot and other issues, but saw no signs of these. I did notice her middle toe is slightly crooked, but I think it always was, though I can't be sure. I examined her legs and the pads under her feet and see nothing wrong. She is six years old. What should I do? Thank you.

 

[Eggcessive]

Can you get some pictures of both feet together? Soak her feet in some warm Epsom salts for about 20 minutes once a day. The foot in the first picture looks a bit swollen, but I would like to see more pictures if there is swelling between the toes. Gout could possibly be a problem, but I need to see better pics. What do you feed her? Do you know what the previous owner fed? Does she lay eggs?

 

[nightowl223]

Can you get some pictures of both feet together? Soak her feet in some warm Epsom salts for about 20 minutes once a day. The foot in the first picture looks a bit swollen, but I would like to see more pictures if there is swelling between the toes. Gout could possibly be a problem, but I need to see better pics. What do you feed her? Do you know what the previous owner fed? Does she lay eggs?

Agree X2

 

[chickenlady12]

Thanks so much. I compared the bottoms of the feet and they look the same. The pads of both are a bit poochy. Below are three pix, one of both feet and two attempting to show between her toes. I feed them All Grain for Layers and Breeders. I have had Pecky since she was born and always fed her this, except she had crumbles when she was a chick. She laid an egg recently, but she hasn't laid much in the last year. Previously she laid eggs during the warm months. They had very hard shells, except sometimes they didn't have any shells. So I fed her oyster shells for a while, but it didn't make much of a difference. She still sometimes laid eggs without shells, but not often. Otherwise, she eats and drinks well.

 

[Eggcessive]

After looking back at your pictures again, I think the left foot may be bruised on top, and that might be from a sprain or possibly a broken foot. The swelling goes along with that. There are some scaly leg mites as well. You can treat those with soaking and applying vaseline or other oil to the legs once a week. I would continue to soak her feet in the warm Epsom salts water daily. Ivermectin pour-on can be used on the back of the neck along the spine for leg mites. Since she is not laying anymore, I would feed an all flock feed, but provide the oyster shell on the side for the layers.

 

[chickenlady12]

Thank you so much! I have some Epsom salts, Vaseline and Ivermectin, so I will start tomorrow. My Ivermectin is 5mg/ml. Do you think a couple of drops on the back of the neck is the right dosage?
I hope her foot is not broken. She has lived in the same coop/run all her life, so I can't imagine how it could have happened. I will hope for the best. Thanks again!

 

[Eggcessive]

Ivermectin dosage is 0.1 ml for each 2 pounds of weight. Let us know how she is getting along.

 

[chickenlady12]

Hi. I have soaked Pecky's foot in Epsom salts for 20 minutes a day for a week, but I think she is mostly the same. Perhaps she doesn't sit down quite as much, but she still limps, and her middle toe seems crooked, although she isn't bothered when I touch her toes. I put the Ivermectin on as well. We have no farm animal vets out here, so I hope this improves on its own. She is otherwise eating and drinking and behaving normally.