Limping Rooster

[SoupytheChicken]

I have a young polish rooster who has recently started limping. There is no sign of bumblefoot, and I can't find any sign of a break. He also started roosting recently. Is there any way he could have torn our sprained a muscle? If so how should I treat it? Also, is there any special way I should inspect his leg?

 

[welasharon]

How high is the roost? Sometimes they just hurt their legs and it takes a few days to quit hurting. Have you felt along it to make sure there are no bumps or cuts?

 

[Eggcessive]

High roosts as well as young cockerel antics can cause sprains or breaks in legs. Resting him in a cage (with food and water containing vitamin B complex) near his flock so that he can remain a part of them would be good for 1-2 weeks, then evaluate the leg again to see if it needs more rest. Look for any swelling on the foot, bones, or joints.

 

[SoupytheChicken]

The roots is maybe 8 feet high. It's actually a support for the coop but he uses it to roost on at night. I can't find any bumps or cuts, and by what I can tell there is no swelling.

 

[Eggcessive]

Some chickens will always go to the highest point to roost, and that is twice as high as I would ever use. For heavy breeds, 3 feet is plenty high. It would probably take some doing to block off your 8 foot roost, but maybe using some plastic poultry netting it may be possible. I hope he gets better soon with rest.

 

[SoupytheChicken]

thankyou. We originally had roosts nailed into the wall that were 3 feet high but they never used them. Their coop is in a barn and the thing he roosts on is a structure support