Limping hen

[purpledonna]

Hi
One of my hens has been limping on and off for approx 2 weeks...... no apparent sores on her foot or swelling. Some days it is minimal and others (like today) it is very noticeable. She is eating fine and laying an egg per day. She is the Boss of the hen house! I am thinking she has pulled something and when it starts to heal she hurts it again. She is not sleeping on the roost.... she is sleeping in the straw on the ground. Today when I picked her up her leg seemed to hang down...... could it be a dislocation? She doesn't seem to mind me handling her. Today she didn't wander far from the hen house and was limping badly. Any ideas what I could do anyone?


Thanks

Donna

 

[PoultryPedia]

I don't know if it could be a slipped hock tendon, but if so, there is info on putting it back in place on the page linked in my sig...

 

[purpledonna]

Thanks! Will inspect her leg more in the morning and see what I can do! Fingers crossed!

 

[LynneP]

Yes, after 2 weeks one would expect improvement, I agree. One thing you can do is offer water treated with low-dose aspirin. The mix is 1 low dose (81mg) aspirin crushed with a spoon and added to a quart of water. Shake well before each use and offer with a dropper several times a day. If it's a tendon this will reduce inflammation and allow you to treat the tendon, hopefully. If not it will reduce any tissues involved in the suspected injury.

Now in addition it would help to know the age of this hen. When young and starting to lay, some hens experience a huge demand for calcium which is enhanced by a need for Vitamins A, B and D. The Vitamin D is instrumental is moving calcium from the legs and pelvis (medullary complex) to the egg-making mechanisms. So if you suspect this you can offer a multivitamin in water for the entire flock. Baby vitamins (without added iron) or poultry vitamins can be used.

Trauma is very common in coops, sometimes the gals take to flight and bump into things no matter how well organized your coop might be. Have you thought about separating her until you can determine cause?

You may want to check incident 04 on this page, my experiences with limping.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=7693-sick-hen

 

[purpledonna]

Gertie is approx 28 weeks old. Thanks for your help.

 

[purpledonna]

Am off to try and find some calcium..... hopefully the fodder store is open!

Found a friend who had some! Thanks Leonie! Could I try grinding up eggshells? Would this work?