Limping hen

[cdahl383]

We’ve had our chickens for about 9 months now with only a couple minor incidents/injuries. This morning they were all fine. This afternoon I opened the coop door and one hen was sitting down on the coop floor by herself. Normally she is very active and does not like to be held. But I was able to pet her snd pick her up.

She had her one leg pulled up as though it was injured. I checked her leg for blood or cuts, peck marks, but it looked fine. I didn’t notice any bumble foot and I highly doubt it’s leg mites as it happened suddenly and it’s winter (around 15-20degrees at night).

My assumption is she just injured it jumping down from the roosting bar. Maybe landed on it the wrong way etc.

I brought her inside in a small cage so she could rest and heal up for a day or two. She has done bedding, food, and water available.

Is there anything else I should do to help her? I’ve read where in some cases it’s bad to separate them, but it seemed like a bad idea to leave her out in the cold coop with an injury. I just want to make sure I’m doing whatever I can to help her heal up.

Thanks!

 

[azygous]

You can return her to her flock. She's much better off with them. The only reason to keep a chicken separated is if they have an open wound injury that can be made worse by pecking, an illness that is more convenient to treat with the hen indoors, or you need to observe the chicken to determine course of treatment.

Coincidentally, I have an older hen at present with a similar limp. She has no bumblefoot, torn nails, or swelling. There may be a hint of redness on the affected shank. It has been affecting her mood and she's been very inactive. After I began treating her with 81 grain aspirin twice a day, she's been more active and her mood has improved with less favoring of the leg.

Injuries happen. Aspirin is a safe and effective treatment for inflammation and pain. Give one whole 81 grain chewable aspirin twice a day until the chicken is behaving normally.

 

[cdahl383]

Our hen died overnight. Not sure what happened. Brought her inside in a crate with bedding, food, and water. This morning I went to check on her snd she was dead. She was our first hen to die on us since we got them. Kind of bummed out today. Not sure what else I could have done.

 

[azygous]

If you would like to know the cause of this hen's death, you can find a farm lab to do a necropsy. Or you can cut the chicken open and see if you see any thing unusual such as enlarged liver, impacted crop, or cancer tumors. I suspect the latter.

 

[humblehillsfarm]

Our hen died overnight. Not sure what happened. Brought her inside in a crate with bedding, food, and water. This morning I went to check on her snd she was dead. She was our first hen to die on us since we got them. Kind of bummed out today. Not sure what else I could have done.

I am so sorry to hear that. Don't beat yourself up. Unfortunately this type of thing is almost unavoidable when keeping chickens, but you noticed her and acted quickly to help her. There was probably something internal, and unfortunately chickens can't tell us what hurts.

 

[cdahl383]

If you would like to know the cause of this hen's death, you can find a farm lab to do a necropsy. Or you can cut the chicken open and see if you see any thing unusual such as enlarged liver, impacted crop, or cancer tumors. I suspect the latter.

I buried her today already. I don’t think I could cut her open. I’m still new to chickens and this was our first death so it’s been hard. My kids were sad too. I’m the caretaker though so I felt bad like I had failed her. But I’m not a vet and maybe it was just her time.

 

[cdahl383]

I am so sorry to hear that. Don't beat yourself up. Unfortunately this type of thing is almost unavoidable when keeping chickens, but you noticed her and acted quickly to help her. There was probably something internal, and unfortunately chickens can't tell us what hurts.

It’s definitely sad, but I’m not sure there was much I could do. At least she was warm snd safe when she passed last night.