My favorite hen is limping!! Help

[TwentyOneChickens]

I have 12 red sexlinks that are now a year old. I had a chicken last fall who was limping, and she had a cut on the bottom of her foot so I put cream on it till it healed

Now, my favorite hen Cuckoo (hence the username) is limping! Whenever I come out to see them, Cuckoo runs as fast as she can to get to me. It warms my heart.
Just about 10 minutes ago, I went to check on them. There was Cuckoo, eager to see me, but she was hopping on one foot.
I did a full leg and foot inspection, even on the bottom, and nothing seems out of the ordinary. When I stretch her leg out, she fights it.
Earlier this morning before I saw her limping, I noticed her voice was different. Instead of short, excited bawks, she has long, excited croaks.
PLEASE HELP!!

 

[TwentyOneChickens]

Please... she's still limping. It's so sad seeing her this way.

 

[Henriettamom919]

How is her eating and drinking?

For starters I'd get her isolated to reduce running around on it! Given you can see an open wound I'm thinking sprain or possible fracture.

Can you bring her in and put her in a box/dog crate where you can observe her?on

ETA- I think the vocal change might just be from feeling pain/distress.

 

[TwentyOneChickens]

How is her eating and drinking?

For starters I'd get her isolated to reduce running around on it! Given you can see an open wound I'm thinking sprain or possible fracture.

Can you bring her in and put her in a box/dog crate where you can observe her?on

ETA- I think the vocal change might just be from feeling pain/distress.

I don’t have a dog crate but I have a cow water tub that we used as their brooder. My parents won’t let me use that though - they don’t really care.
They probably will if she continues limping for a few days.
Is there anything I can do now that might help? Also, she’s eating and drinking fine

 

[Henriettamom919]

I don’t have a dog crate but I have a cow water tub that we used as their brooder. My parents won’t let me use that though - they don’t really care.
They probably will if she continues limping for a few days.
Is there anything I can do now that might help? Also, she’s eating and drinking fine

Is there anywhere that you can get her separated? Anywhere away from the flock will work. A barn, garage or porch?

If nothing else maybe just go out an sit with her. We'd have to know where she is injured to advise on splinting/bandage wraps. Apple cider vinegar in the water is supposed to good for overall health and healing.

That she's eating and drinking is a very good sign! Try to stay calm and keep her calm to the best of your ability!

 

[aart]

How badly is she limping?
So bad she can't eat drink or move around at all?
A video would help if you can, upload to youtube then link here.
Probably no need to panic, or do anything drastic, just leave her be.

Have had a few limpers, think strain or sprain, can take a week or more to fully heal.
If limp is really bothering them by inhibiting their normal activities too much, I will isolate them in a crate to 'force' rest for a day or two. Letting them out late in day, an hour before roost time, to give them a stretch and evaluate their mobility, then decide if they need another day and put them back in crate off roost after dark. Repeat stretch and eval the next day until they are better. Keep crate in coop so bird can remain 'with' the flock.

 

[Henriettamom919]

On, and lots of

I'm sorry, I know what it feels like to be worried about one of your chicken babies and it seems like it's always your favorite!

 

[TwentyOneChickens]

How badly is she limping?
So bad she can't eat drink or move around at all?
A video would help if you can, upload to youtube then link here.
Probably no need to panic, or do anything drastic, just leave her be.

Have had a few limpers, think strain or sprain, can take a week or more to fully heal.
If limp is really bothering them by inhibiting their normal activities too much, I will isolate them in a crate to 'force' rest for a day or two. Letting them out late in day, an hour before roost time, to give them a stretch and evaluate their mobility, then decide if they need another day and put them back in crate off roost after dark. Repeat stretch and eval the next day until they are better. Keep crate in coop so bird can remain 'with' the flock.

She can move around fine, but if she's eating grass, she normally lifts her foot up. When she runs, she hops on one foot, and when she uses both feet, she limps.

I think I'll try that tomorrow if she remains limping.

 

[TwentyOneChickens]

On, and lots of

I'm sorry, I know what it feels like to be worried about one of your chicken babies and it seems like it's always your favorite!

That's so true. One of my chicks, Nugget, used to be my favorite. She first got a foot injury and was limping, but she healed. Then now she's not getting enough calcium and laying broken eggs. I feel horrible for her!
Cuckoo is the best though. I love her and she loves me.

 

[Henriettamom919]

You can clean, bake and crush chicken egg shells and feed them back as a calcium supplement!

The fact that she can bear weight on it is a very good sign. Also, her holding it up will help it to rest and hopefully heal faster. I think she'll be okay after a bit!