Super Limp Leg

[GeneticFreak]

Hi Folks, opened the coop today and a chicken was down. Looked like she was trying to crawl into the nesting box. I am very far from experienced, but my first thought was that a leg is broken based on how limp it looked. The leg didn't have any cuts, bruises. etc. This wasn't from a predator or anything along those lines. If it is a broken leg, it happened somewhere inside the coop. I checked to make sure no eggs were stuck inside her. That was negative. I don't think it is a disease, because she appears to be alert, eating, drinking, etc. I separated her from the flock and she is in a little holding cell in the basement. Thinking about taking her to the vet on Monday morning. That said, does anyone have any good suggestions on how to perhaps splint the leg? I may try tomorrow, prior to going to the vet. Thank you all in advance for your wisdom.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hi Folks, opened the coop today and a chicken was down. Looked like she was trying to crawl into the nesting box. I am very far from experienced, but my first thought was that a leg is broken based on how limp it looked. The leg didn't have any cuts, bruises. etc. This wasn't from a predator or anything along those lines. If it is a broken leg, it happened somewhere inside the coop. I checked to make sure no eggs were stuck inside her. That was negative. I don't think it is a disease, because she appears to be alert, eating, drinking, etc. I separated her from the flock and she is in a little holding cell in the basement. Thinking about taking her to the vet on Monday morning. That said, does anyone have any good suggestions on how to perhaps splint the leg? I may try tomorrow, prior to going to the vet. Thank you all in advance for your wisdom.

Welcome To BYC

Can you post some photos of her? Is she able to stand at all - if possible, photos of her standing and of her legs/joints/feet too.

What do you feed including treats?
How long have you had her?
How old is she?
Was she vaccinated for Marek's?

 

[GeneticFreak]

Welcome To BYC

Can you post some photos of her? Is she able to stand at all - if possible, photos of her standing and of her legs/joints/feet too.

What do you feed including treats?
How long have you had her?
How old is she?
Was she vaccinated for Marek's?

Sure. I’ll post some photos tomorrow. She really isn’t able to stand at all (maybe a brief second if you put her on her feet). As far as food is concerned, she gets Purina Layena Crumble, broccoli, cucumbers, mealworms and other assorted treats. She is over two years old (I had her since she was a chick). Don’t know about Marek’s.

Thanks for the response!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

So you've had her over 2 yrs?
Have you added any new birds within the last 30 days?

I would check her joints for swelling. If you think she would benefit from a leg wrapping or splint, it would be worth a try. This manual is helpful for that - https://theiwrc.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Duerr_Splinting_Manual_2010.pdf

If you feel she needs to be more upright for short periods of time to give her some relief from laying on her legs all the time, then a sling may be of benefit as well. I'll post a video of one, but if you search for chicken sling, you can find a lot of google images or video to get creative

 

[GeneticFreak]

Yep. Had her over two years. No need birds over the past 30 days (we have the same flock for the 2+ years).

Thank you for all of the generous help!