Peg Leg / Eileen - Only using one leg

[PocketS2025]

In the picture, Peg Leg is on the straw bale, her foot in a brace.

She's been only using one leg for about 2 weeks, we're novice chicken raisers and didn't notice anything wrong with her leg when the injury first occurred. We don't know how or when the injury occurred, because we've been dealing with my SIL moving in and Thanksgiving; this week the Primary Chicken Wrangler is on vacation.

We suspect if there is an injury, it occurred before we installed ramps on the bridge connecting our chicken coop to their yard space. It's about 3-1/2 feet off the ground, and ramps were installed after her injury occurred. Prior to the ramps, all of the chickens would jump/fly to the platforms in the Coop/Yard to cross the bridge. All of their roost bars in the coop are lower than the platforms.

We don't have a vet in the area that will care for chickens - which is lame, because there are plenty of ranches (horses, cattle) around and chickens are allowed as backyard livestock throughout the county.

What should I be looking for if the leg is dislocated? Is it possible I could pop it back into place myself? DO we really need to isolate her from the others? That just seems bad for her emotional state.

 

[Eggcessive]

Could you get a clear picture tomorrow of both legs and feet from the front or back on the same level? Does she limp or put weight on the leg or hold it up to her body? Have you looked for any swelling, redness or green bruising along the whole leg, or looked at the foot pad for any bumble foot scab?

 

[PocketS2025]

Could you get a clear picture tomorrow of both legs and feet from the front or back on the same level? Does she limp or put weight on the leg or hold it up to her body? Have you looked for any swelling, redness or green bruising along the whole leg, or looked at the foot pad for any bumble foot scab?

I'll try and get pictures tomorrow. She doesn't put weight on it at all, but doesn't always hold it up to her body. The leg does not appear to be swollen; I haven't noticed any discoloration. The foot's toes are not swollen, but I'm unsure about the "pad".

*Also, we're quite certain she is still laying eggs despite this issue.

 

[CombNWattles]

I would not isolate her unless she’s being severely bullied. Being with the others will keep her spirits up.

 

[PocketS2025]

Could you get a clear picture tomorrow of both legs and feet from the front or back on the same level? Does she limp or put weight on the leg or hold it up to her body? Have you looked for any swelling, redness or green bruising along the whole leg, or looked at the foot pad for any bumble foot scab?

Well, upon examining her two feet this morning, her good foot (pink bottom, curled in one picture) is just a bit dirty, and the lame foot's pad is certainly swollen, and the whole foot is quite dirty. The bad foot is also a bit warm to the touch, but not terribly. She won't climb the Coop's ramp - but can fly down from the Yard's platform just fine.

Should I just try to soak her feet in warm water and epsom salt?