Poor hen, advise needed

[wvgal61]

one of my hens started to limp on one foot, now she can hardly walk at all, she is in my daughters room. We were afraid the roos would hurt her even more. One day after she got lame another hen was all puffed up and died the same day, she was never lame. Could this be connected? I hope she recovers. She is eating and drinking fine. Please give me some hope. none of the other hens are sick and the one died about a week ago
Thanks

 

[chickenzoo]

On the limping hen look under her foot, on the foot pad and see if their is a dark spot with any swelling.. do a search on bumble foot and see if it is a possibility. It is caused by an injury to the foot and an infection starting. Also the hen that died... do you worm your chickens, as worms is the most common of chicken illnesses.

 

[wvgal61]

No I haven't wormed them, I'll look into doing that soon, no other chickens are sick at all. The lame hen doesn't have any sores, dark spots, or swelling. She is eating very well, and is still laying eggs. So puzzling.

 

[chickenzoo]

Perhaps she pulled a muscle by getting it caught up in something..... hope she will do better.

 

[wvgal61]

could it be mereks

 

[chickenzoo]

It is less likely in older chickens, but it is still possible.

 

[wvgal61]

We brought in a younger chick about 8 weeks old, and it died within a week of being around this hen

 

[usschicago1]

She has cage layer fatigue.
http://www.avian.uga.edu/documents/pip/2002/0602.pdf

 

[wvgal61]

She passed

But why would you say cage layer fatigue? My chickens have two large coops, one open (chain link sides on 3 sides) and a very large fenced in area to run in. Plus they are let out to roam on our 1 and 1/2 acre land. They are fed a high quality feed. The shells are ground and put in the feed from time to time, but our eggs are of a great quality. Doing everything I know to care for them. She will be dearly missed.