PLEASE HELP!!! Green skin [[PICTURE ENCLOSED]]

[kittycat23]

I would have thought that green skin like that would indicate dead cells / gangrene, but it is hard to tell from the photo. Is the green area very small and limited to the top of her leg, or does is spread further?

Could it be the result of an injury such as a broken bone that has caused her to limp and lose the use of her leg? I'm no vet, but maybe someone who has had a similar experience or who has a bit of medical knowledge may be able to chime in with some ideas. Is it possible that she could have damaged it jumping down from a high perch or something similar?

Has her limp changed recently - become worse or better? How is she in herself - still eating drinking and moving ok, or does she have problems? The more information you can add (even if it seems irrelevant to you) the more people may be able to help you.

Yes, the green area is very small and just goes up as far as you see in the picture. I checked her skin above that and it is a completely healthy and normal color.

I do not know how should could break it as she has only been traveling in a radius of about 1-2 feet inside an open cardboard crate box, and when she does move, she barely puts pressure on it. So this eliminates any chances of falling from a high perch.

I feel that as soon as I have noticed this green skins a couple days ago she has been using this leg and these toes less and less, therefore, getting worse. She is eating a ton still and drinking a ton of water (maybe more than usual?) and she is not in a hot area. She does have pretty watery poops but that is due to the amount of water she is drinking. Otherwise her diet consists of regular hen scratch, one scrambled egg a day, and water with the electrolyte and vitamin powder.

Please tell me what else you would like me to tell you! I am more than happy to! I really appreciate the help )) and so does my chicken

 

[kittycat23]

@Fancychooklady Do you have any suggestions by any chance? You were really great on my last thread!

 

[KayTee]

I do not know how should could break it as she has only been traveling in a radius of about 1-2 feet inside an open cardboard crate box, and when she does move, she barely puts pressure on it. So this eliminates any chances of falling from a high perch.

How long has she been confined to the small crate? You said that she has been limping for a few weeks - I was thinking that she may have injured it well before you noticed she was limping, when she was still outside?

 

[kittycat23]

How long has she been confined to the small crate? You said that she has been limping for a few weeks - I was thinking that she may have injured it well before you noticed she was limping, when she was still outside?

She has been there since June 16th but she started limping around June 2nd. If she did injure around this time in early June, don't you think it would have started healing by now? Or if she is always using it to walk does that make it injured more? Is that what you are saying?

 

[Fancychooklady]

I think that apart from her advanced age her leg issues are more likely to be calcium and or phosphorous deficiency leading to perosis. If her bones are brittle just bearing weight could cause a fracture. I know that this hen means a lot to you and perhaps some remedial Epsom salt soaks and calcium supplements would make her more comfortable. As others have said , it is probably time you took her to an avian vet. As with any aged pet we tend to put it off, fearing for the worst but your vet may be able to put your mind at ease. Remember we are here if you need a shoulder.

 

[kittycat23]

I think that apart from her advanced age her leg issues are more likely to be calcium and or phosphorous deficiency leading to perosis. If her bones are brittle just bearing weight could cause a fracture. I know that this hen means a lot to you and perhaps some remedial Epsom salt soaks and calcium supplements would make her more comfortable. As others have said , it is probably time you took her to an avian vet. As with any aged pet we tend to put it off, fearing for the worst but your vet may be able to put your mind at ease. Remember we are here if you need a shoulder.

Thank you so much. I really, really appreciate this! What do you expect the vet could say though? I feel like he would just look at her and say you cannot do anything and I don't want to waste the money if he is just going to tell me that there is nothing that I can do.

 

[Eggcessive]

I feel that as soon as I have noticed this green skins a couple days ago she has been using this leg and these toes less and less, therefore, getting worse. She is eating a ton still and drinking a ton of water (maybe more than usual?) and she is not in a hot area. She does have pretty watery poops but that is due to the amount of water she is drinking. Otherwise her diet consists of regular hen scratch, one scrambled egg a day, and water with the electrolyte and vitamin powder.

Do you give your chickens a layer feed, or just chicken scratch? For complete vitamins and trace minerals, plus the protein required, layer or all flock food is necessary. Scratch is only a treat, and should only make up 10% or less of the diet.

 

[Fancychooklady]

Thank you so much. I really, really appreciate this! What do you expect the vet could say though? I feel like he would just look at her and say you cannot do anything and I don't want to waste the money if he is just going to tell me that there is nothing that I can do. 

From an economic point of view only you can make that decision , however you will not know unless you see a vet. An avian vet if at all possible.
Some would simply euthanize the bird and if that is the decision you come to no one would think ill of you for doing so. Perhaps a trip to the vet might take the pressure off you and at least then you will know that you did all that you could.

 

[kittycat23]

From an economic point of view only you can make that decision , however you will not know unless you see a vet. An avian vet if at all possible.
Some would simply euthanize the bird and if that is the decision you come to no one would think ill of you for doing so. Perhaps a trip to the vet might take the pressure off you and at least then you will know that you did all that you could.

My vet calls himself an exotic vet which includes chickens. Do you think this is good enough or is an avian vet better?

 

[Fancychooklady]

My vet calls himself an exotic vet which includes chickens. Do you think this is good enough or is an avian vet better?

An avian vet is best as he/she should be familiar with most poultry problems but it really depends on who you have local to you.