Possible Injured Leg

[CherryAdventure]

So, the day before last, I got a new shipment of hens. They're ex-battery hens, and they have their beaks clipped.

Today I went out to check on them and found one lying on her side. I picked her up and took her out of the coop. She stood up, seeming to favour one leg. I've brought her inside for observation. She is bright eyed and interested in everything that is happening, and her comb is red. She's sitting up, so she hasn't lost her balance. It seems to be her left leg that is hurting. I can't find any marks, so I think it's a strain.

I have roosters, and some pretty territorial hens, and she was in a corner when I found her. She could have been chased and gotten stuck or something.

As I'm writing this, she's standing up with apparent ease. Was she just cold outside? Can that cause anything? It's raining. She's sat back down, but she looks completely happy and healthy. She's pecking at her box, quite content.

So, does this sound like just a minor injury?

Thanks in advance.

 

[CherryAdventure]

So it seems she only has trouble when she tries to walk. She can stand fine.

 

[Yayah]

How nice to rescue ex-battery's!
Do you have any idea how dire her conditions were? If she was daily in a small pen never moving a lot, it's possible she could have had a strain like you said with any sort of over exertion. If she ran too fast not being used to it, maybe she hurt herself that way.
That would be my best guess, anyway.
I'm curious, but sorry I'm not more help!

 

[ryanhodapp]

Are you in the U.S.? I only ask because I think more of us would like to rescue.

I would keep her inside or separate her somehow in the coop.
Is she eating and drinking fine? If so, observe her for another day or so and let her rest.

Shouldn't you quarantine all these girls from your flock? Just an idea.

Thanks for rescuing.
Marlene

 

[CherryAdventure]

Are you in the U.S.? I only ask because I think more of us would like to rescue.


Shouldn't you quarantine all these girls from your flock? Just an idea.

I'm in Australia, they just came up one day on a Facebook page.

I thought long and hard about quarantine, and had many long discussions with my family. We eventually decided that as we had never quarantined before, and we had 12 hens coming and nowhere suitable to put them on such short notice, that we would just see how it went.

 

[CherryAdventure]

How nice to rescue ex-battery's!
Do you have any idea how dire her conditions were? If she was daily in a small pen never moving a lot, it's possible she could have had a strain like you said with any sort of over exertion. If she ran too fast not being used to it, maybe she hurt herself that way.
That would be my best guess, anyway.
I'm curious, but sorry I'm not more help!

Thank you. I put her back with her friends, as she started walking around and kept trying to get back to them. I've been in and out of the pen all day, and she's fine. Just walking a little slower than usual.