Limping Hen

[theoldfarmhouse]

I am thinking that there may be a joint issue. Can you palpate her knee and hip and tell if either might be swollen compared to the "good" leg? Is there a reaction when you flex the knee or the hip individually? Try flexing the knee first and then the hip. Try not to do both at the same time.

Here is the video:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPZUBGuAR2h34eZzZOXhGuw
I have given the little one a once over again. Her knee joint appears stiff and she pulls away but when I feel her hip she makes a noise. She only weighs 1.6kg or around 3.5 pounds so I gave her 50mg of aspirin about 10 minutes ago. I’ll keep an eye on her.
Thanks for everyone’s advice. I hate seeing my feather-babies in pain!

 

[Fluffyflufffluff]

I have a young hen who has been limping for a while now. There are no signs of bumblefoot or any other injury I can see. We have a large rooster. Perhaps he has hurt her? Any ideas? I am in Australia so can’t access pain meds without a script. Are there any other pain management ideas?
Thank you!

When a chicken goes lame, a common first response is to think 'Marek's disease', a devastating virus that can cause limping, then paralysis, and often ends in death. This can generally be ruled out if the bird is younger than six weeks old or older than six months.
Better have her checked.

 

[theoldfarmhouse]

When a chicken goes lame, a common first response is to think 'Marek's disease', a devastating virus that can cause limping, then paralysis, and often ends in death. This can generally be ruled out if the bird is younger than six weeks old or older than six months.
Better have her checked.

Hi she’s over 1 year old. She has been limping for a couple of weeks now. What’s the progression time of Marek’s?
Jay

 

[theoldfarmhouse]

I always want to know the why before I treat. Why is she limping?

So I'm going to ask some questions.

Does she roost? Is that difficult for her? How bad is the limp? Does it stop her from being chickeny?

Depending on why she is limping the best course of action may be to restrict her movements for a while so she doesn't keep aggravating the injury.

It is so hard to treat anything without first figuring why it is occurring. I would concentrate on solving that mystery.

I am thinking that there may be a joint issue. Can you palpate her knee and hip and tell if either might be swollen compared to the "good" leg? Is there a reaction when you flex the knee or the hip individually? Try flexing the knee first and then the hip. Try not to do both at the same time.

Hello again,
Do you have any further thoughts in response to my last post?
Thank you!!
Jay