my chicken has trouble walking and sits often

[karengoslin]

What breed is she?

She is a Rhode Island Red and thanks for your concern, this is such a good place to get advice, I'm new here.

 

[karengoslin]

There are red broiler type chickens as well as the Cornish Cross. They don't grow quite as fast, but are prone to the same type of health problems.

Ahh does this mean she isn't a Rhode pure breed but a mix or something? So I should limit her feed, why would food make it worse? does it imply weight gain? Thanks for your help on this. A very nice lady has suggested it is a ligament problem, they can slip a ligament and gentle pulling can ease it back.

 

[junebuggena]

If she's as large an adult hen already, than she probably is a type of meat bird. If she's normal sized for a 3 month old, it is probably some kind of injury from jumping off something too high or a ligament problem. If she is walking in a strange way, having balance issues, or sits with her legs out in front, it could be Marek's disease.

 

[karengoslin]

I;ll get back to you on the Mareks disease symptoms, I'll check how she places her legs/feet. She does have very thick legs and is the biggest. I didn't realise you can have these broiler meat birds. I'll look that up. I have heard Americans refer to broiler birds in the culinary area and it hadn't occurred to me you can get one as a pet. Sillyof me really to disconnect the two.
Its difficult to know whether she is suffering with this. I don't know if she is sitting because of pain or sitting through weakness in legs, that is the hardest thing to determine.

Thanks so much for your advice. Kareng

 

[karengoslin]

I have just realised this is an American site...........Hello American Chicken people I am in England

 

[karengoslin]

Hello Junebuggena Yes I think she is the broiler type, very big. She is 3 months old. I am about to inspect her leg situation and will get back to you all on it. Thanks for your concern... Kareng

 

[karengoslin]

Hello all I cant find some of my replys, I hope they are here somewhere. Thanks for the information about removing spurs. I know I wouldn't be able to get ordinary clippers on it, its too thick and would probably split. I'm sure its a spur. I will look at the best options for tools and least stressful. Once again, thanks to all of you...kareng

 

[chickenychicken]

Just one more idea I came up with...
You could use a finger nail file to file his Spurs, just don't file the pink part or he could bleed.