Not a big emergency but, Chickie is limping

[Spydrworks]

This morning she was fine...even got an egg this morning. When I got back home from class, I saw she was favoring one of her legs and was hobbling. she can still walk on it. I felt both legs and did not feel any oddities and there's nothing she can get caught up on in the yard. There is no signs of swelling. I'm thinking she may have stepped on something or being it's VERY windy today, something may have hit into her leg, though there's no outer damage that can been seen.

My question is...how long do I wait before consulting a vet if she continues limping?

Also, is there anything I can do with the leg to help?

Thanks
Cheryl

 

[dlhunicorn]

Have you looked on the bottom of her feet? Look also carefully for a thorn or such? (may have broken off)
You can separate her/restrict her movement to help heal any injuries (chickens will easily damage their legs...just running too far too quick is known to produce a limp). On the other hand, there might be something else going on (longshot but must still be considered)...you did not mention her age (though if a prolific layer this can also happen) and that is brittle bones caused by calcium deficiency...is she on a good layer feed (with not too much scratch) and is there oyster shell (offered free choice)???

 

[Spydrworks]

I haven't looked clearly at the bottom of her feet, but have crouched down to take a good look while she was walking and haven't seen anything sticking out like a thorn nor is there any blood to indicate an open wound.

She is a prolific egg layer (a red star) and being she's put out 9 eggs since the day she found me (she's a rescue) almost two weeks ago, I'm assuming she's young. It took her three days after being rescued to start laying and it's been an average egg per day minus one day since.

I feed her Kaytee Supreme Companion Bird mix which is fortified with all sorts of seeds and grains made for fowl. I mix in black oil sunflower seeds, a little bit of cracked corn (just to use up what is left, then no more when it's gone), fresh cut greens (dark green leafed lettuces, squash and broccolli) and I mix in a hi calcium grit. This all goes into a tray. Some gets sprinkled throughout the yard and the following morning I take what is left in the tray, sprinkle it out and then serve a fresh mix again.

By the way...what is scratch? What's in it? And what is considered layer feed? I may not be new to taking care of animals including birds, but I'm still ignorant on specifics on chicken nutrition.

Thanks for the help.

 

[Wes in Tx]

Go to any feed store and ask for layer feed and they will know what you want. Scratch is normally a mixture of oats, milo and corn. Only about 9% protein. Layer feed will be from 15 to 20% protein.

As for the limping add some plain aspirin at the rate of 5 5grain tablet per gallon of water. Do that for 10 days.

 

[Spydrworks]

Quote:
Can you elaborate on "5 5grain tablet"? I have no clue what that means. Chickie is still limping and I'd like to get that to her.

I did take a closer look and there's nothing there that I can see or feel. Doesn't seem to bother her much. When I go outside, she comes running. She's like a dog. It cracks me up.

BTW...I got Chickie lay feed and wow! She was at the tray for a good 15 minutes chowing away as if she'd missed the stuff. She probably did.

Another sweet thing that has come from having the lay feed out...the resident pair of woodpeckers come down to feast. I so wish my camera hadn't been stolen. The female is in the tray now. She's so cute.

Anyway...thanks for all the help