Old Chicken's Leg is Injured

[YoshiWolfox]

My oldest chicken, Grapes, has had a leg injury the past few days. I noticed a limp a few days ago, and it's getting worse, to the point where she cannot step on that leg. She's a very old bantam golden sebright, about 9 years old. I can't see any injuries from the outside, nor feel anything wrong with her bones. She's been eating, drinking, and acting normal other than her leg. What might be wrong with her? What can I do to help her?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I'm sorry to hear that Grapes is struggling.

Since you have examined her and not found any obvious injury, then I would suspect that the limping may be age related. At 9yrs old she may have some arthritis in her old bones.
The only thing I can suggest is keep watch on her, help her into the coop at night and see that she is comfy. It won't hurt to add some poultry vitamins to her diet a couple of times a week. https://hencam.com/henblog/2013/11/caring-for-feeble-old-hens/

I wish I had better answers for you.

 

[YoshiWolfox]

I'm sorry to hear that Grapes is struggling.

Since you have examined her and not found any obvious injury, then I would suspect that the limping may be age related. At 9yrs old she may have some arthritis in her old bones.
The only thing I can suggest is keep watch on her, help her into the coop at night and see that she is comfy. It won't hurt to add some poultry vitamins to her diet a couple of times a week. https://hencam.com/henblog/2013/11/caring-for-feeble-old-hens/

I wish I had better answers for you.

That link you sent me is such a sweet story! She seems to be kind of the same with the hen there. She definitely doesn't act sick, and is still able to eat, drink, and doesn't seem lethargic. I do agree, it probably might be something to do with old age. I've been helping her in and out of the coop in the morning and evening, and checking up on her during the day. She's been sleeping in the nesting boxes because the roost might be too harsh on her leg

 

[micstrachan]

Aaawww... poor sweet Grapes. Glad she has you to care for her. Is she hopping around on one foot? Maybe she’ll better with some rest. Do any of the more experienced chicken enthusiasts recommend baby aspirin?

 

[YoshiWolfox]

Aaawww... poor sweet Grapes. Glad she has you to care for her. Is she hopping around on one foot? Maybe she’ll better with some rest. Do any of the more experienced chicken enthusiasts recommend baby aspirin?

She was limping and hopping around on one foot the other day, but now she can't fully put pressure on it and flops on her side. Sometimes she'll be standing though on both feet. I hope rest does help! She's a sweet little old lady

 

[micstrachan]

I’ll be thinking of her!

 

[YoshiWolfox]

I’ll be thinking of her!

Thank you so much!!

 

[Taylorbrood]

She was limping and hopping around on one foot the other day, but now she can't fully put pressure on it and flops on her side. Sometimes she'll be standing though on both feet. I hope rest does help! She's a sweet little old lady

you can make her a chicken wheelchair, using the pvc three part hamper, they sell it at walmart it has wheels, you just have to cut the pvc down to her height, take a small fuzzy blanket (thrift store baby blanket) and cut in half then cut holes for her legs and attach with large binder clips or snaps, add a rope and you can pull her around you can also remove the blanket and use the one without holes for a hammock also memory foam travel neck pillows help also

 

[Wyorp Rock]

That link you sent me is such a sweet story! She seems to be kind of the same with the hen there. She definitely doesn't act sick, and is still able to eat, drink, and doesn't seem lethargic. I do agree, it probably might be something to do with old age. I've been helping her in and out of the coop in the morning and evening, and checking up on her during the day. She's been sleeping in the nesting boxes because the roost might be too harsh on her leg

I really like Terry Golson's HenCam. She doesn't blog about chickens anymore, but her articles are still there along with the Cams. I followed her for several years (and watched her chickens on the cams) long before I ever had chickens. I've found that she seems to be kind and caring, but is also direct and common sense with her methods.

I do hope Grapes improves with some TLC, please keep us posted.

 

[Taylorbrood]

I'm sorry to hear that Grapes is struggling.

Since you have examined her and not found any obvious injury, then I would suspect that the limping may be age related. At 9yrs old she may have some arthritis in her old bones.
The only thing I can suggest is keep watch on her, help her into the coop at night and see that she is comfy. It won't hurt to add some poultry vitamins to her diet a couple of times a week. https://hencam.com/henblog/2013/11/caring-for-feeble-old-hens/

I wish I had better answers for you.

over run with chickens.... like that one