Hi, My friend's pullet has some odd sort of lameness problem developing, and we are concerned because it is getting worse, not better. There is no injury, although at first we thought one of the other animals hurt her. If it were a simple injury I think it would have resolved itself by now, she developed a limp about 3 weeks ago and now that I watch her it seems to be a weakness on both legs. She is now having trouble walking normally and can't jump up on anything like she used to. The other chickens (4 BR 2 EE pullets) shun and abuse her.
She lives with many other animals but is free to range as she pleases on the property during the day.
Like I said this is not my chicken, she lives on my good friend's small horse ranch. I am helping by posting this for her. This pullet is very special to my friend's 12 year old DD.
1) What type of bird , age and weight. Unknown, found on a horse trail about 3 months ago, appeared full grown at the time, looks like a game cross pullet. Has not laid an egg yet.
2) What is the behavior, exactly. first limp in one leg, now weakness/ unsteady, even crossed and tripping gait apparently in both legs. NO other symptoms at all and no injury visible.
3) How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms? about 3 weeks. Seems to be worsening.
4) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma. absolutely none
5) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation. exposed to many other animals-pigs horses goats bunnies and 6 other chickens so....anything is possible but no injury palpated or visualized.
6) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all. eats well. Lay mash. Lately been harder for her to forage.
7) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc. normal
8) What has been the treatment you have administered so far? none
9 ) What is your intent as far as treatment? For example, do you want to treat completely yourself, or do you need help in stabilizing the bird til you can get to a vet? want to find suggestions for how we can treat her ourselves.
10) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it. It may help. video below.
11) Describe the housing/bedding in use. She is in a pipe corral with a small shed for nighttime. She is housed with a pig, 3 goats, bunnies, and 6 other chickens. The chickens are allowed to hop out of their pipe corral and forage around the horse ranch during the day. She can't do this lately so has to be carried out.
I had to post video, since she looks totally fine in pictures.
Sorry the videos are poor quality, I hope you can see what the problem is! I apperciate your insight and expertise -- we are stumped!
Video of the pullet walking:
Video of the pullet showing her legs look normal:
Video of the pullet walking again:
Like I said this is not my chicken, she lives on my good friend's small horse ranch. I am helping by posting this for her. This pullet is very special to my friend's 12 year old DD.
1) What type of bird , age and weight. Unknown, found on a horse trail about 3 months ago, appeared full grown at the time, looks like a game cross pullet. Has not laid an egg yet.
2) What is the behavior, exactly. first limp in one leg, now weakness/ unsteady, even crossed and tripping gait apparently in both legs. NO other symptoms at all and no injury visible.
3) How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms? about 3 weeks. Seems to be worsening.
4) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma. absolutely none
5) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation. exposed to many other animals-pigs horses goats bunnies and 6 other chickens so....anything is possible but no injury palpated or visualized.
6) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all. eats well. Lay mash. Lately been harder for her to forage.
7) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc. normal
8) What has been the treatment you have administered so far? none
9 ) What is your intent as far as treatment? For example, do you want to treat completely yourself, or do you need help in stabilizing the bird til you can get to a vet? want to find suggestions for how we can treat her ourselves.
10) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it. It may help. video below.
11) Describe the housing/bedding in use. She is in a pipe corral with a small shed for nighttime. She is housed with a pig, 3 goats, bunnies, and 6 other chickens. The chickens are allowed to hop out of their pipe corral and forage around the horse ranch during the day. She can't do this lately so has to be carried out.
I had to post video, since she looks totally fine in pictures.
Sorry the videos are poor quality, I hope you can see what the problem is! I apperciate your insight and expertise -- we are stumped!
Video of the pullet walking:
