Limping chicken?!

[Kathy Golla]

Well there went that theory...I figured you had it handled. If hes laying down, hes healing that foot. It may just take time. The first couple of days he could have been going on adrenaline and aspirin and now hes showing his real limitations. It could also be that if hes laying down during the day (thats good) that foot is just stiffening up when he walks.

 

[ChickNanny13]

Thinking he's got a bad sprain .... He's so cute.

 

[Kathy Golla]

He is quite handsome...in his own mind too!

 

[Abbkayx]

Have you ever been to the doctor with a sore limb and they send you for x-rays and you get zapped at every angle this side of getting stood on your head? That's what we need you to do with his foot.

Photograph his left foot from the top with toes flat and spread. Then do it from the bottom, with his toes spread so we can see clearly the webbed tissue between the toes. We need to see as much of that left foot as possible.

I have a hunch, from the way he lifts the foot and pecks at the toes, that he's badly bruised the base of one or more toes. You will likely see greenish discoloration. I had a young hen fly feet first into the window of the run when some marauding dogs attacked my flock this past winter. At the time, I couldn't see any injuries.

After a day or so, she was limping badly, and standing with the foot held close to her belly. That's when I looked closely and saw the greenish bruising between her toes. It took two weeks of aspirin twice a day, and she was healed.

I let her stay with the flock as she was self limiting her activity, and to be honest, her being temporarily crippled gave the flock a respite from her wicked, naughty, bullying.

Ok, again.. I tried my best lol. It’s hard to get his feet to spread on the underside while holding him and my phone in my other hand for a photo. I didn’t have anyone around but hope these are a bit better.

 

[Kathy Golla]

He doesn’t have a very fleshy footpad.
What is this gentleman’s name?

 

[Kathy Golla]

Is he able to wrap his toes-curl and uncurl?

 

[Abbkayx]

Is he able to wrap his toes-curl and uncurl?

His name is Chuck. (My fiancé named him and his sebright twin Chuck and Norris lol).

& Yes he curls up his toes and then lays on them to sleep. When I lifted him a bit he uncurled them and stood flat, that’s when I took the photos.

 

[Kathy Golla]

Those are the most beautiful feet I’ve ever seen. The gray skin may be hiding something. Will be interesting to see if azygous or eggcessive see anything.

 

[Eggcessive]

Aspirin use is controversial with leg pain. It can be given for pain and inflammation, but some feel that it masks the pain and they won’t rest the injured leg as much if given. So, it is up to you. I can see both sides of the argument. A vet would probably give meloxicam, a pain and inflammation drug. On BYC, we all give our opinions, and then you, the owner must make up their own mind on the advice.

 

[azygous]

I can't see anything conclusive with those dark colored feet. But the left foot pad may be a bit swollen. When you compare the left pad with the right, do you see that the left is puffy?

On light colored legs and feet, bruising will show up as a very faint green drab. The slate color on Chuck's feet would mask the subtle green bruising.

For what it's worth, I believe Chuck has a bruised foot pad or some sort of temporary injury that isn't serious, but is causing him significant pain. I do not believe his lameness is from Marek's.