My chicken is limping

[ThickenTheChicken]

My chicken has been limping. She is eating, drinking, and sctratching the ground/foraging but continues to limp. Her foot looks fine (no bumble foot). I’m thinking it is a sprain. Any idea of what else it would be? If it’s a sprain how do I treat her? Sadly, going to the vet is not an option for us. She is the top of the pecking order so I’m not sure if separating her is good. I have 4 chickens, one recently got over an eye infection after getting pecked by my egg-bound chicken (she died). The one that had the eye infection is getting pecked on like crazy after reintroduction( I have read tons of articles on how to properly reintroduce). I don’t want this to happen to another one of my chickens. What should I do for the limping one? She is more then 2 years old.

 

[Chookchicken]

If there isn’t any cuts on her foot, and she still seems to be eating I’d just leave her. You can’t do very much to treat a chicken with a sprained foot, I think most people just keep and eye on it and make sure it doesn’t get worse. If her foot is to dirty to tell if she does or doesn’t have a cut just bath it in some Epsom Salts to remove the dirt. If there is a cut just bath it in Epsom Salts once or twice a day to make sure it doesn’t get infected.

 

[dawg53]

@ThickenTheChicken Here's a link for you to read, please see post #4:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/limping-chicken.1243650/

 

[Callender Girl]

I took my limping hen to the vet (God bless Dr. Meyer, who owns and LOVES chickens) and learned that Honey had a severely bruised thigh; that's when I also learned that bruises on a chicken's skin can show up as a frightening shade of green.

The only "treatment" Honey got was a shot of pain medication, and I installed a new doorway-wide ramp to help my 6-year-old girl make easier trips in and out of the coop.

Good luck with your girl.

 

[ThickenTheChicken]

Thanks everyone who has replied. Today, her limp was much more noticeable. Should I be worried? If it is a sprain how long will it take to heal? I’ll try to take a video to show you
Should I prevent her from foraging as shown in the video?
here is the link:

Edit: here is a photo of the foot she is not limping with. Is it possible that’s bumble foot? I’m not experienced with that kind of thing but to me it just looks like dirt trapped in a scale. Idk what do you guys think?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Thanks everyone who has replied. Today, her limp was much more noticeable. Should I be worried? If it is a sprain how long will it take to heal? I’ll try to take a video to show you
Should I prevent her from foraging as shown in the video?
here is the link:

Edit: here is a photo of the foot she is not limping with. Is it possible that’s bumble foot? I’m not experienced with that kind of thing but to me it just looks like dirt trapped in a scale. Idk what do you guys think?

If it's dirt, then you should be able to wipe that away.
Nothing on the bottom of her foot?

She looks to be pretty mobile to me, scratching and doing chicken things without too much discomfort. If she were mine, I would check out the feet (bottom of them too) just to be sure there's nothing stuck in the nooks/crannies of the feet, then leave her be. IF she starts to show signs of slowing down, lethargy or you notice upon frequent inspection of the feet that there's some issues, then address them.

My 2¢

 

[ThickenTheChicken]

Nothing on the bottom of her foot. I bathed her feet in an epsom salt bath just in case though.

 

[Chookchicken]

the fact that it doesn’t hurt her when she walks at a steady pace means it’s most likely a minor sprain. Keep an eye on it, if it gets worse let us know

 

[ThickenTheChicken]

She seems to be doing the same- still active- still limping. I guess it’s a good sign as it hasn’t gotten worse.

 

[Mtnboomer]

A limp usually just means a bump, bruise or sprain from jumping off the roost, squabbling with other birds etc. Sometimes they get a toenail problem.
Keep an eye on her snd make sure doesn't show any neurological symptoms. It should go away on its own if its a minor thing in a week or so