Limping hens

Noxious

In the Brooder
Sep 14, 2020
7
5
11
Northern Ireland
Hey all. I recently purchased two Rhode Island red hens from a local breeder a few weeks ago to only discover they had quite a bad limp when they walk and sometimes just stand still completely to avoid limping. They seem happy enough, they lay regular eggs, dirt bathe etc. Normal things a chicken does.
I have tried almost everything I can. Epsom salt baths, constant warm vinegar and salt baths, even aspirin to soothe any pain that may exist, and NOTHING has helped them.
I'm beginning to think they're not in pain because none of these methods have even soothed the limping, and that it's just a genetic deformity, e.g. a hip deformity. I must also mention all the other Rhode Island red birds in the breeders pen had a similar limp so this also makes me think it is genetic. The breeder didn't make it clear to me what it was so I didn't think much of it, which was very stupid of me in hindsight (I'm learning as a new chicken keeper).
I know for sure it isn't bumblefoot because there have been no black spots at all on the foot pads and I have been watching for anything developing for weeks. Their feet are very clean and have no cuts or skin breakages. Their feet are also not red.
I'm quite upset about it because they're such sweeties and I love them. I just hope they aren't in pain. They seem to get along well with their flock mates and aren't even that low in the pecking order- they can stand their ground against other hens, BUT I am afraid of the roosters mounting them and potentially making their limp worse.
Can anyone please give me advice? If it is genetic, what can I do to assist them further?
20200912_230515.jpg

20200912_230531.jpg

Such a sweetie.Thank you so much in advance. Apologies for a long post.
 
Do you know if the breeder feed a balanced layer or all flock feed all of their lives? Vitamin D3 or mineral deficiency (calcium, phosphorus) sometimes causes problems. Are any toes curled under, or do any legs appear knock kneed or bow legged? Can you tell if there is any swelling of the hock or knee joints? Is there any swelling of the feet?
 
Do you know if the breeder feed a balanced layer or all flock feed all of their lives? Vitamin D3 or mineral deficiency (calcium, phosphorus) sometimes causes problems. Are any toes curled under, or do any legs appear knock kneed or bow legged? Can you tell if there is any swelling of the hock or knee joints? Is there any swelling of the feet?
There is no swelling or such deformities of the legs. I'm really not sure what he fed them, though I do know he had 200 of them to sell so he likely didn't feed them good quality food.
If it is a deficiency at such an extreme, can it be put right at this stage?
 

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom