My chicken is a bit grown now, but she has a severe leg disability. What do I do?

[C4ss14n]

My chicken cant really walk. She eats and drinks fine, and will basically flap her wings as hard as possible so she can get over to the feeder buckets. She’s not in pain, and not at all being bullied by the rest of the flock. I’m worried about her mobility issues. My father already told me the best thing to do might just be to put her down.

Looking for other options, but if anyone else agrees with my dad, I’ll do it. This is a picture of her, btw.

 

[DobieLover]

Everyone will have their own opinion on what is best for that bird.

My opinion is that she's not going to have very good quality of life as far as a chicken is concerned. She's merely surviving and just existing with no real quality of life. My personal opinion is to euthanize her.

Others may suggest you put a diaper on her and keep her as a house pet.

It is entirely up to you. Good luck with whatever you choose.

 

[Folly's place]

I agree with DL, and would add that solitary 'house chickens' aren't living a normal life either, they are flock animals and need flockmates.
Also the 'not in pain' story sounds all too familiar. How do you really know? She will act 'normal' as well as she can, which includes acting 'not in pain'. Down on both legs? Why? How does this not hurt?
There's 'disabled' and then there's 'can't stand or walk'. Very different stories, neither good, but this is much worse.
Mary

 

[RominaGoldie]

What a gentle soul. can you get an avian vet's opinion? Maybe there's something that they can do. I would personally bring her inside and enjoy her company. I already do that with my rooster and he's pretty healthy.

 

[thecatumbrella]

Welcome to BYC. I'm sorry you joined with such a sad story. How old is your flock? One of my pullets had a disability, and her flock-mates turned on her at point of lay. It's a huge risk to assume they'll continue to accept her, and if you're not there in time to pull her out, she'll be injured. I did end up putting mine down. It was incredibly difficult, but I agree with the others that you need to consider her quality of life.

 

[ella2025]

My chicken cant really walk. She eats and drinks fine, and will basically flap her wings as hard as possible so she can get over to the feeder buckets. She’s not in pain, and not at all being bullied by the rest of the flock. I’m worried about her mobility issues. My father already told me the best thing to do might just be to put her down.

Looking for other options, but if anyone else agrees with my dad, I’ll do it. This is a picture of her, btw.

Could this be Marek's?

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Can she "chicken"? Peck and scratch? Dust bathe? Socialize with the others? If not, since you asked our opinions, it's not a kindness to let her continue as she is. Give her the gift of rest.

 

[C4ss14n]

Can she "chicken"? Peck and scratch? Dust bathe? Socialize with the others? If not, since you asked our opinions, it's not a kindness to let her continue as she is. Give her the gift of rest.

She can actually do. All of that, but she doesn’t walk around much is the problem. The others come up to her, and they sit next to each other. Im not really sure if thats enough though, because she cant run.

 

[C4ss14n]

What a gentle soul. can you get an avian vet's opinion? Maybe there's something that they can do. I would personally bring her inside and enjoy her company. I already do that with my rooster and he's pretty healthy.

Thanks for the suggestion! I will definitely try. I’ve also had the idea to give her a wheelchair. It will basically let her leg sit straight, and then she can use her other leg to walk. What do you think?

 

[C4ss14n]

I agree with DL, and would add that solitary 'house chickens' aren't living a normal life either, they are flock animals and need flockmates.
Also the 'not in pain' story sounds all too familiar. How do you really know? She will act 'normal' as well as she can, which includes acting 'not in pain'. Down on both legs? Why? How does this not hurt?
There's 'disabled' and then there's 'can't stand or walk'. Very different stories, neither good, but this is much worse.
Mary

I know she’s not in pain because I can put some pressure on different areas of her leg and joints, and she won’t react. She also seems fairly happy being able to be outside and sit in the sun.