Mystic onyx pullet has a limp, seeking advice

[farmerjonboy]

Hey everyone, I have a mystic onyx pullet ~6 months old that started limping on her right leg about three weeks ago. She was adopted at ~2 weeks with three other chicks (also mystic onyx, all pullets). After noticing the limp, my partner and I kept her isolated from the others for a week to prevent potential spread of disease and to monitor her condition. Once we determined illness wasn't the cause, we returned her to the flock.

Her condition has slowly improved since then, but she's still walking with a noticeable limp. Initially, she avoided putting much pressure on the foot, and would keep it raised in a clutched position. She's now able to place the foot on the ground, but still keeps it slightly raised so that it isn't laying completely flat. The pullets typically stick together and she follows the flock, but I've noticed that it's difficult for her to keep up with the others at times due to the limp.

We currently have them free ranging in our backyard (it's a fenced enclosure) and they sleep in a small coop at night. Their feed is 20% protein all flock from Nutrena with free choice oyster shells. She's been eating and drinking water regularly. I've been adding vitamin B-complex to their water daily.

My best guess is that she somehow injured her foot, but I have no idea how it happened. My partner and I checked it for bumblefoot, but it doesn't look infected at all. Our next plan of action is to attempt splinting the foot, but I wanted to check here to see if anyone could provide some insight as to how we should proceed. I'll include some photos of her feet and a video showing the limp.

Video:

Right foot (the one with the limp):


Left foot for comparison:

 

[Eggcessive]

Sprains can be very common in chickens. The B complex can be helpful with a curled foot or leg injuries. You might want to soak her legs in warm water with a handful of Epsom salts for about 15 minutes. Use Dawn if you cannot get the Epsom salts. Then look over the food pad again for any small cuts or scabs. The skin looks dry, so something might show up. I would not splint her foot at this time. We see some bad cases where splints got too tight and cut off circulation. I would prevent her from jumping up and down from a roost, and not let her overuse the leg. Sometimes you can limit activity in a dog crate with food and water. At her age we always think about Mareks with a limp and curled under toes, but injuries are the most common cause.

 

[FNF]

Hey everyone, I have a mystic onyx pullet ~6 months old that started limping on her right leg about three weeks ago. She was adopted at ~2 weeks with three other chicks (also mystic onyx, all pullets). After noticing the limp, my partner and I kept her isolated from the others for a week to prevent potential spread of disease and to monitor her condition. Once we determined illness wasn't the cause, we returned her to the flock.

Her condition has slowly improved since then, but she's still walking with a noticeable limp. Initially, she avoided putting much pressure on the foot, and would keep it raised in a clutched position. She's now able to place the foot on the ground, but still keeps it slightly raised so that it isn't laying completely flat. The pullets typically stick together and she follows the flock, but I've noticed that it's difficult for her to keep up with the others at times due to the limp.

We currently have them free ranging in our backyard (it's a fenced enclosure) and they sleep in a small coop at night. Their feed is 20% protein all flock from Nutrena with free choice oyster shells. She's been eating and drinking water regularly. I've been adding vitamin B-complex to their water daily.

My best guess is that she somehow injured her foot, but I have no idea how it happened. My partner and I checked it for bumblefoot, but it doesn't look infected at all. Our next plan of action is to attempt splinting the foot, but I wanted to check here to see if anyone could provide some insight as to how we should proceed. I'll include some photos of her feet and a video showing the limp.

Video:

Right foot (the one with the limp):
View attachment 3967606

Left foot for comparison:
View attachment 3967607

How did this resolve? I have a rooster I've had separated for about a week and still hoping he improves. Hard to be hopeful - I have lost two hens to Marek's but they showed very different symptoms. I hope your hen is okay!

 

[farmerjonboy]

Sprains can be very common in chickens. The B complex can be helpful with a curled foot or leg injuries. You might want to soak her legs in warm water with a handful of Epsom salts for about 15 minutes. Use Dawn if you cannot get the Epsom salts. Then look over the food pad again for any small cuts or scabs. The skin looks dry, so something might show up. I would not splint her foot at this time. We see some bad cases where splints got too tight and cut off circulation. I would prevent her from jumping up and down from a roost, and not let her overuse the leg. Sometimes you can limit activity in a dog crate with food and water. At her age we always think about Mareks with a limp and curled under toes, but injuries are the most common cause.

Sorry for responding 8 months later! I meant to follow-up after seeing your post but totally forgot. Just want to start by saying thanks for taking the time to respond to my post. I took your advice and soaked the foot in an Epsom salt bath; I didn't notice any cuts or scabs, but she was better able to stand on the foot after the soak. Following that, I kept her in a pre-fab coop (low to the ground, no roosts to jump down from) we have in our backyard for a few days, and after releasing her she still had some mobility issues but was walking on the foot again. A few weeks later and she was mostly back to normal. She still has a slightly awkward gait when she runs, but it hasn't effected her mobility as far as I can tell. She's happy and healthy and has no trouble keeping up with the other hens.

Thanks again for your help! It's greatly appreciated.

 

[Eggcessive]

Thank you for the update and that your hens is doing well.

 

[farmerjonboy]

How did this resolve? I have a rooster I've had separated for about a week and still hoping he improves. Hard to be hopeful - I have lost two hens to Marek's but they showed very different symptoms. I hope your hen is okay!

Apologies for the very late response! I followed Eggcessive's advice and my hen is doing great now. I'm so sorry about your two hens. I hope your rooster pulled through!