Limping Chicken

[Gizzi]

Chessie is our two month old White Rock/Rhode Island Red pullet. Just about three days ago I noticed her limping. I palpated her whole leg and foot and nothing felt out of the ordinary and nothing seemed to bother her when I touched, squeezed, or moved it. She is still getting around, able to get up on perches and into their coop, and is eating, though she perches or lays down most of the time. I dont think she is preening herself though. Her feathers arent nice and smooth like the others'. The ends of her feathers are all seperated and messy looking, but she's not dirty or poopy. Is there any way to encourage her to preen? Any ideas of why she is limping (I read someone else's post about a slipped tendon. How can I tell if thats what it is?) Anything i can do for her? I just dont want her to be in pain.
Any suggestions are appreciated! Thank you!!

 

[flopsy]

Gizzi, I'm way far from knowing much about chickens. I'm here learning, too. My yr old barred rock is limping as well. I had what looked like and felt like a very heavy rooster. I'm wondering if she sprained her leg jumping from a roost or nest or if she got hurt by the rooster being too big. She sits around or perches as you said yours does. Her leg is not swollen or anything. I've let her do what she feels is best for her leg. And she is resting it a lot by lying down or hunkering down when she perches. I'm gonna give her some time and see if it gets better. I hope your pullet gets better quickly.

 

[GrandmaBlue]

I have a speckled sussex roo that came up limping a few months ago. Not sure what happened but suspect that maybe an injury from jumping off the roost. He has grown into a rather large roo and holds his own with the other roos he is housed with. As long as your chick eats and drinks well I would just keep an eye on her and see how she does.
Good Luck

 

[Gizzi]

Thank you both so much for your input! It has definately helped me not be so worried. I will keep an eye on her like you said and let her do what she wants. It doesnt look like its getting any worse so I feel thats a good thing. Im thinking she may have slipped on the ramp going up to the coop, so I put some plastic chicken "wire" over it for better grip. All three really seem to like having it on there. They immediately started walking up and down it.

 

[Gizzi]

Just an update incase anyone is curious... Chessie is all better! I did as you advised and just let her do what she felt comfortable doing and she gradually got better, and now you would never even know that she had been limping last week. Yay!