Pullet limping

[apryl29]

I have a partridge rock pullet that is limping. I noticed on Sunday that she was sitting down more than the others, but didn't actually see her limping until yesterday. She was standing w/ her legs close together and was visibly limping, her left hock joint seemed to appear very swollen, but upon inspection it did look slightly larger than the other, but not by much. I think it was just the way she was limping that made it appear severely swollen. Anyway, I checked her foot and I don't see anything obvious, except she had a small spot on the foot, above the pad that looked like the skin was broken, but not bleeding. It didn't appear infected either. I picked up some Tylan 50 while I was at the supply store and added 1mL to her water. I cleaned the foot w/ water and applied antibiotic ointment last night. I don't have much of a sick area so I put her in a large rubbermaid tote w/ a towel under her and put her in my parent's basement. I checked her this morning and she still had trouble walking. I took some pictures of her foot. She does flail a bit when I press on it, but I can't tell if it's just her not wanting handled, or if she's hurt since she doesn't always repeat the reaction. She doesn't seem to be putting much weight on it. I applied more ointment and wrapped it w/a piece of gauze and tape. She didn't seem to appreciate it so I wouldn't be surprised if she picks it off. I kept her in the tote in the basement w/ the lights low. I'm hoping her being confined will help her rest and maybe it'll heal. I gave her some mash. Not sure what else to do at this point. I saw some suggestions of an epson salt bath which I will try this evening. Any other suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[azygous]

It may appear small and insignificant to us, but a small laceration or abrasion on a foot or leg of our chickens can cause them a lot of discomfort.

Just two days ago I spotted my little Welsummer Mabel standing with her foot drawn up to her abdomen. On inspection, I found a tiny flap of skin torn on top of one toe.

As I would comfort a toddler, I cradled her in my arms and took her inside to fix her an Epsom salt soak for the foot. That cleans and soothes. Then I sprayed with Vetericyn and for good measure, when it dried, painted the tiny wound with Blu-kote.

Those scaly legs and feet may look tough and indestructible, but any sort of assault on them can be quite painful, from scaly leg mites to a torn nail.

 

[apryl29]

Thanks! I'll give her a soak tonight. I was worried that it was infected & I was missing something. I've had so many injuries/ maladies since I got these guys. It seems like one thing after another. I also noticed this particular bird has a split/ cracked beak. She's rather flighty and we don't get the opportunity to pick her up/ hold her much. It looks like it's healing and she's been eating so I'm not super worried about that right now. Like I said.. one thing after another.

 

[azygous]

Beaks are like legs and feet in that injuries are painful. Your hen's beak might benefit from some repair attempts. It would only take a little bit of a snag on something to tear that beak and that would be life threatening.

It's hard to tell from the photos, but it looks like debris could enter the tear and if that happens, infection can set in. It would help if you could provide a side profile of the beak from both right and left.

 

[apryl29]

How would I try to repair her beak? These are the only pics I have of her beak right now, besides the one above. I can get more later this evening. I had another one who lost the tip of her beak and it grew back. I have no idea why it's from, maybe a rock.. they free range for a while each evening so it could be anything.

 

[azygous]

Oh, good! It's going to be easy to fix. You will find it easier with another person to hold her.

Wrap her up snugly in a bath towel to confine her wings and feet so she doesn't flail and flay you. Since you'll be doing work so close to her eyes, it will help to drape a cloth over her eyes. You will need a tea bag and super glue. The gel kind is easiest.

Empty the tea out of the tea bag and discard the tea. Cut a piece of the paper tea bag to fit over the beak. Trim it to fit before you begin. Flush any debris out of the tear, dry and spray with Vertericyn. Let dry completely. A hair dryer on low can help.

With the hen's head held firmly, run a very thin coat of super glue over the tear on the beak, placing the paper patch over the glue. Position the patch and paint another thin coat of super glue over the paper. Let dry and she's good to go. It should heal within a few weeks. But watch her for signs of infection - swelling or bleeding or loss of appetite due to pain.

 

[apryl29]

Thank you so much! I know exactly what you mean, I've done that when I've broken finger nails that were too low on the nail bed to cut off. Should I try to avoid putting the glue in the cracked space in the middle?

 

[azygous]

The glue won't hurt the cracked space and will help cement the fissure. Just exert care not to overwhelm her eyes with the fumes. Just do very thin applications.

 

[apryl29]

Ok, Thank you again. I really appreciate the help. Every time I learn how to fix/ deal with one thing something totally different pops up. We had chickens years ago and didn't have a single problem w/ them, but this time there's been a bunch of struggles. It's so nice having people who can help.

 

[azygous]

It only seems like our early chickens had no issues. It's probably because the longer we have chickens, the more we get to know and understand them, and what follows is that we are more in tune with little clues that things might not be quite okay.