Limping Rooster

[Bobbi Jack]

My rooster has been limping and I wondered if anyone had any suggestions. He is only three years old, so that shouldn't be a problem. The possibilities that occured to me were leg mites and Riboflavin deficiency, but I couldn't say with any certainty. The bad leg does look like it might be a little bit swollen.
Does anyone know what would cause this, and how to treat it?

 

[silkiechicken]

Maybe some more information may help.

Does he have high roosts? What is his diet? Are there any abscesses on the foot or leg? Do you have a picture?

Sometimes they do sprain their ankles and feet after jumping off things, so it may just be that.

Welcome!

 

[Squeaky]

This could also be an injury due to jumping or falling. Chickens do get up to mischief when we're not around and sometimes they hurt themselves.

 

[Bobbi Jack]

His roosts are probably about four feet off the ground, and he did somehow lose a spur on that leg, but that was several months ago so I don't know if it would be related to that at all. We have also found him hanging by one of his very long spurs in the wire over the wondow in his house, but that was also several months ago.
His diet is mainly a mixture of layer pellets and scratch grains with table scraps here and there as well as anything he finds in the yard while free-ranging, but the chickens foods are always available to him.
I have noticed fairly recently one of the hens and a guinea limping recently, so maybe it's something spreadable, but they seem to be fine at present.
No absesses at all. The leg and foot look normal, except for some raised scales from leg mites and possibly some swelling.
He has been in this condition for quite a while, so I don't think it's just a pulled muscle or something like that. He seems to be stepping high with both feet as if he was walking through water or something like that, but especially favoring the one.
If you still need more information let me know.
Thanks!

 

[WalkingWolf]

I had that happen with my Peking duck. One week he limped on one leg then the next week he limped on the other. I checked for injuries and found none. After advice from a Purdue chicken farm manager I put cider vinegar in his water and within a few days he cleared up and has not done it since. I put vinegar in all my animals water now.

 

[Bobbi Jack]

Another thing which may or may not be related to the topic at hand; when a chicken has raised leg scales from leg mites, after the mites are gone, would the scales go back to how they should be or stay the same? I know he and the others have had them in the past, but I haven't seen them pecking at their legs like they usually do when they have mites. Also, if they did, since they are free-range, would all the bedding-changing and all that be necessary? In the past I've used a 3-1 Linseed oil/Kerosene mix for the legs, and I know it works at least temporarily, but I'm not sure long term.

 

[Bobbi Jack]

Would the vinegar have to be cider vinegar, or would another kind be as good? How does it help?

 

[Bobbi Jack]

Today I noticed a soft bump on his leg, near the ankle. It's probably about 1/2 inch diameter, and is pink. It doesn't seem sore though; he doesn't flinch when I press on it. He does still act like it's painful to walk on that leg. Does anyone have any idea what could be causing this?

 

[WalkingWolf]

Would the vinegar have to be cider vinegar, or would another kind be as good? How does it help?

Vinegar kills bacteria in the water and it also helps in digestion and the prevention of Clostridium Botulinum Type C. This causes paralysis in birds, and death in poultry. Poultry houses use iodine for treatment, but I have stuck with the vinegar. Cider vinegar has long been used as a health remedy for animals and people, not sure if there is a difference with clear vinegar.​

 

[Bobbi Jack]

Okay, thanks! I'll try that then. In the meantime, if anyone else could think of other possibilities in case that's not the problem, I'm definitely open to ideas.