Limping Chicken

[NewYorkMama]

Hello! I have a ~5 year old Buff Orpington hen who has had a slight limp for about 3 weeks. I’ve checked the pad of her foot and leg for injuries and see nothing. The last 2 days she’s begun really favoring one foot and hardly puts any weight on the right. She does NOT like being handled, so examination and treatment is stressful for her.
Still, I managed to snap a couple of photos— sorry for the quality. Does anything look off? Scaly leg mites? The curled foot is the one she’s not putting weight on. Open foot I just included for reference.

Yesterday I soaked her feet in Epsom salts & warm water and put a little anti microbial ointment on a slightly red area of her leg.

Today, I slathered the whole leg and foot in a chicken injury balm I have — it has lavender, etc for soothing/healing wounds.

Not sure what else to do.

I’m leaning towards she injured herself jumping off her roost bar — she’s a heavy girl. but I don’t know what to look for in the early stages of scaly leg mites. Hoping you all can help.

 

[The-White-Elephant]

I think that’s bumble foot.
@Overo Mare @azygous what do you guys think?

 

[NewYorkMama]

I think that’s bumble foot.
@Overo Mare @azygous what do you guys think?

How/why are you thinking that? I don’t see any dark mark or hot spot on the bottom of that foot.

 

[The-White-Elephant]

How/why are you thinking that? I don’t see any dark mark or hot spot on the bottom of that foot.

Well, looks like there’s a big bump in the middle of her foot, which is usually bumble foot, unless she got bitten by something else

 

[NewYorkMama]

Well, looks like there’s a big bump in the middle of her foot, which is usually bumble foot, unless she got bitten by something else

Both of her feet are like that — I guess I thought that’s normal? I’ll see if I can get a better photo.

 

[Eggcessive]

Have you added any new birds to your flock recently? Curled under toes on one foot with weakness, can be a sign of an injury that has affected the nerve, and also can be a sign of Mareks disease. Usually Mareks is seen in young chickens, unless one has recently been exposed by a carrier. I would give her 1/4 tablet of human vitamin B complex or another source of riboflavin for a couple of weeks to see if it helps. Preventing her from roosting and forcing her to rest the leg in a dog crate in the coop with her own food and water, would be how I would treat her.

 

[NewYorkMama]

Well, looks like there’s a big bump in the middle of her foot, which is usually bumble foot, unless she got bitten by something else

If it’s bumblefoot she must be in so much pain — I feel awful! Oh goodness. Should I try to keep soaking her feet? She really hates being held.

We have a very muddy/frozen yard this time of year… maybe I should keep her indoors for a bit? Thank you for your help.

 

[NewYorkMama]

Have you added any new birds to your flock recently? Curled under toes on one foot with weakness, can be a sign of an injury that has affected the nerve, and also can be a sign of Mareks disease. Usually Mareks is seen in young chickens, unless one has recently been exposed by a carrier. I would give her 1/4 tablet of human vitamin B complex or another source of riboflavin for a couple of weeks to see if it helps. Preventing her from roosting and forcing her to rest the leg in a dog crate in the coop with her own food and water, would be how I would treat her.

We added three chicks in spring — introduced them to the older ladies in July I believe. But they came from a reputable farm store — they would have been vaccinated.

I will separate her & start B vitamins. What doseage? Thank you so much.

 

[NewYorkMama]

I think that’s bumble foot.
@Overo Mare @azygous what do you guys think?

Update! I was able to get a couple more close up pics. Is this bumble foot?

 

[The-White-Elephant]

Update! I was able to get a couple more close up pics. Is this bumble foot?

View attachment 2917570 View attachment 2917571

To me, it sure does look like it, but @Wyorp Rock @Eggcessive do know better