Mystery Limp

[canadian flock]

Hey, about a week ago, my barred rock started limping around slightly. I left it alone thinking she had just jumped of the perch weird that morning. It got gradually worse until I had to seperate her because she has always been near the bottom of the pecking order and if the others started picking on her, I didn't think she would be able to get away. I washed her foot to check for bumble foot but it looked fine. I flexed all of her toes, her ankle, her knee, and her hip to see if I could get a reaction to tell me where the problem is. Nothing, I even prodded her entire leg all over to see if it was a muscular/bruise problem. Today, one of my other barred rocks has started limping (on the same side if that is relevant) but isn't as bad as the other. She also gave no reaction to prodding and flexing. Any ideas as to what it could be? They are otherwise normal. Thanks

 

[canadian flock]

Both chickens are still the same and don't show signs of steady improvement.

 

[canadian flock]

Any suggestions would be nice.

 

[Eggcessive]

That is puzzling. Do you have roosts that are very high, or is your coop very cramped where they might not be able to land softly? Leg sprains happen fairly often with higher roosts, or with chickens who are being chased by roosters,etc. I would separate the two, place in a large crate with vitamins in the water especially the B complex vitamins. Once a week, take them out to evaluate how they are walking. It may take several weeks to a month to see improvement. Also, mycoplasma synoviae, a type of CRD, can cause leg pain, lameness, and swelling of the joints. Edited for spelling.

 

[seminolewind]

So one started limping and it's getting worse and one other is now limping. How old are they?
What is your flock history? Did you get any new birds in the last few months?

 

[canadian flock]

sorry guys, my computer wasn't refreshing your posts. Just ignore the slightly rude and out of context post.

 

[canadian flock]

their perches are pretty low, but my rooster does chase the hens around a lot, and both chickens are in his group of "favourites". They are just past 1 year old and the second limper almost died from something that killed 3 others this past winter.

 

[canadian flock]

I'm sorry if you guys have been posting, I seem to be having troubles with seeing your posts.

 

[Eggcessive]

their perches are pretty low, but my rooster does chase the hens around a lot, and both chickens are in his group of "favourites". They are just past 1 year old and the second limper almost died from something that killed 3 others this past winter.

What were the symptoms of that illness? Were there any respiratory symptoms, or chickens lying down a lot?

 

[canadian flock]

they would gradually become less perky, and then all of a sudden get a whole lot worse, basically becoming completely unaware of everything around them. I had to force feed them but eventually they just wasted away. Before they stopped walking altogether, they would try to find a sun patch (they were in the house) and almost collapse on both legs. Same with the one that survived, but she regained complete use, running,jumping etc. until now. She seemed a little bit better today but the first one doesn't seem to be getting better yet.