Silkie limping

[amanda1]

We have a 1 year old Silkie rooster. He has been limping for a few days. We have inspected his feet a few times and all I can see that might be causing it is a huge feather sticking out from the top of his foot. I think maybe it is tripping him or catching in the grass? I believe that these feathers in the feet may have blood going to them and would hurt him if I tried to cut it off. Does anyone else have experience with this in the feather footed breeds?

 

[Eggcessive]

Pictures might help. Have you checked for swelling of his joints, or a dark spot on his foot pad? It may be better to pluck out the feather, rather than trim it, so that it doesn't bleed. Sprains are common in chickens. Does he move his toes okay, or hold the leg up when he limps?

 

[amanda1]

I'll try to get a photo today. He sometimes stands with it in the air, and definitely looks like he's skipping when running, but then at other times doesn't seem to favor it at all. One of thr feathers is really long and kind of curves in a way that I'm guessing pushes it backwards when his foot is placed on the ground. I have looked at the foot numerous times, moved the joints, pressed on it, checked the leg. Doesn't it hurt them to pull those feathers out? I'd like to remove the feather to see if that's what is causing it, but thought cutting or pulling would hurt.

 

[Eggcessive]

It will hurt, but it may need to be done. Can you post a pictures here or a video to YouTube?

 

[littlefarmgirl9]

https://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20100118090934AAfD5Ux
That should help. I have no personal experience, though, since i have never had a chicken with feathered feet.

 

[amanda1]

I need someone here to help me hold him for a good photo, but here he is through thr fence, holding his right foot off the ground. He walks on it, but seems to limp when running on it. Hopefully you can see the possible cause, the long feather sticking out. I read the link the last poster listed, but really like seeing more than one post that suggests what to do. Anyone else with silkies who have foot feather issues? Do you think I could try trimming just a few inches off of it without hurting him?

 

[amanda1]

Here are two photos. Do you think I could just try trimming those long feathers a bit?

 

[jfranklin09]

Any update on your Rooster? I have a Silkie that just started limping today. We checked out her feet and legs and can't see or feel anything wrong. She is holding her foot up exact like your roo.

 

[Roost Rookie]

My Silkie roo is doing the Same thing. Both feet, he just alternates. I feel bad for him.
I keep looking for bumble foot. But no signs. I am wondering if it is something internal from too much calcium in the feed?!

 

[amanda1]

I took my chickens off calcium supplemented food in early spring when we got chicks. Mine still does it, but I am tending to think it has to do with his large foot feathers. I think because they are so long they might be pushing in when he stands on that foot. I was going to trim them but because he doesn't really seem to be in pain, I have held off.