Need advice - Adult hen became lame 10 days ago, no signs of injury

[BoyetteK9]

About 10 days ago one hen began limping badly. There are no signs of injury, no swelling in foot or leg. She's not putting any weight on the right leg but otherwise appears alert and behaving normally.

Just inspected her again, stretched both legs straight back for comparison - nothing different. Pressure applied from thigh down to the nails doesn't seem to bother her, but she's progressively getting worse each day.

Any suggestions? Ever seen this happen?

 

[Wyandottes7]

How old is she? Its possible that she has Marek's Disease. Marek's can cause paralyis and limping with no other visible, obvious symptoms. Often, birds will appear normal in every other way, but can't walk. I'd do some research on Marek's, and see if it sounds like it could fit your bird.

 

[seminolewind]

Edited due to being insane and offering childish blather. .

 

[BoyetteK9]

Does a slipped achilles occur in adults, or only chicks? There's nothing for her to get injured on in the coop/run so I have to believe its from jumping off the roost. The hen is about 14 months old, and one of only three in the flock. All came from the same hatchery and all have been healthy.

I've read quite extensively on Marek's, but it doesn't appear to be. Omitting Marek's, and with no physical sign of injury except for the one foot, is there anything I can do for her? She's obviously in pain or this would be a non-issue.

Thank you for your replies.

 

[renehewitt]

The same thing happen to one of my hens a few months ago.I just watched her and it did get better.I don't know what happened to her as my hens fee range all day long.Give it time hopefully you will have the same results.

 

[Eggcessive]

If she is holding up the leg and limping, I would say that it is sprained, since there is no swelling or deformity. My suggestion would be to force her to rest the leg in a dog cage with food, water, and vitamins (mostly B Complex) on food or added to water for a week. Then assess her walking, and put her in for another week if no better. I had a hen who jumped off a high roost who limped for over a month, but since she got to food and foraged along with roosting without a problem, I left her alone. She is fine now, but her recovery may have been shortened if I had confined her. I would put her cage in the coop and run so that she has company.

 

[casportpony]

Does a slipped achilles occur in adults, or only chicks? There's nothing for her to get injured on in the coop/run so I have to believe its from jumping off the roost. The hen is about 14 months old, and one of only three in the flock. All came from the same hatchery and all have been healthy.

I've read quite extensively on Marek's, but it doesn't appear to be. Omitting Marek's, and with no physical sign of injury except for the one foot, is there anything I can do for her? She's obviously in pain or this would be a non-issue.

Thank you for your replies.

If it a slipped tendon it would be *obvious* and *very* easy to detect. Don't take this the wrong way, but if one can't detect a slipped tendon I doubt they could do a proper exam on the rest of the leg. If there's no swelling in the hock and the tendon is in place, it's *not* a slipped tendon.

-Kathy

 

[casportpony]

Did you check all of skin on her leg and body for bruising?







-Kathy

 

[schnebbles]

I'm wondering about Mareks as well. Sometimes it takes longer for it to progress. I've had chickens with Mareks. is she holding the leg up as though it hurts to walk or just going about walking as normal but limping? I don't think Mareks causes pain, just paralysis. My chickens with Mareks would just try to walk normally. Then it just got so bad I brought them in.

 

[dawg53]

See post #15 in this link:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/881607/hen-with-severe-limp/10