Limping Chicken

[real_redhead]

This afternoon I let the girls out to free range a while since they haven't gotten out much this last week. I noticed Summer (my welsummer) who will be 18 weeks old on Wednesday limping a little. The kids and I started watching her and yes she was definitely limping and favoring one foot. We examined her legs and feet and I couldn't find or see anything that looked out of the ordinary. Tonight when I put them to bed she was roosting on a branch in the run and her crop wasn't full. I picked her up and brought her in and gave her some bread soaked in chicken broth and she gobbled it all up. I then took her back out and put her on the roost in the coop. I know I need to keep an eye on her but I was wondering if I should keep her in the house a few days in a crate so she gets some rest...she doesn't like to be alone so I know she is going to be bawk bawking a lot. Or should I just keep an eye on her and let her stay with the girls. I have 11 total in a covered run and nice coop. I don't think the roost in the coop are too high but some of the roost in the run are over 5 ft (they don't have to jump down 5 ft to get off there are other roost that are about 3 feet off the ground that they use to go up and down) Just wasn't sure what to do!! any advice? Thanks

 

[taprock]

You caught my eye because our wellsummer is also named summer and she just got over a double case of bumble foot. If their roosts are higher make sure you have enough bedding for a softened landing. My birds tend to sneak into the rafters so I try to keep at least four inches of bedding. I would say if she is getting around ok don't cage her because it does stress them but keep an eye on her like you have been. Also from past experience keep checking her feet. I had a bird limping and there was no sign of bumble foot for the first week but a scab did develop later. I know for me bumble foot has been a problem from our very rocky and baked clay soil more than the roost height. Good luck!

 

[real_redhead]

Thanks Taprock. I will check her foot in the morning! She is still limping some, I haven't been able to let them out much in the yard the last few days - they are getting about a half an hour to an hour out. I can't let them out unsupervised because those darn hawks. I worry when I let her out because she wants to run around with the other girls. I have been giving her special attention...feeding her treats before putting her to bed (the others aren't getting the special treatment!) and she is eating on her own at the feeder. She got up on the roost in the coop tonight on her own but this morning she seemed a little hesitant to jump down and it is only about 12 inches. I will add extra bedding tomorrow in the coop. She is my only Welsummer so I don't want anything to happen to her!! Or to any of my girls for that matter!!!

 

[real_redhead]

Here are a few pictures I took this afternoon, she does have something wrong with one of her feet. Any ideas, suggestions, help? This wasn't there when she first started limping. The dark area is raised a little like it is swollen.

 

[real_redhead]

Oh gosh my son's shirt is really dirty!! haha