Oh, my sweet Poppy.
Okay, back in April my 6 year old Ameraucana rooster, Poppy, got a terrible infection in his middle toe, probably as a complication from a slipped tendon. (I mistakenly thought he had scaly leg mites due to the swelling in his leg). Poppy had surgery to remove the middle toe (to keep the infection in his bone from spreading further). He recovered well and successfully reintegrated into his flock after a few weeks of recovery.
Fast forward to this week. Temps have plummeted, and I can tell Poppy is really uncomfortable. He's had a bit of a messed up walk since his surgery (he sometimes has to swing his leg out when he walks to keep his balance), though that hasn't seemed to worsen much.
I've noticed that he's been having trouble on the roost (maybe with the cold he's having trouble gripping?). Two nights ago he opted to go into a nesting box instead of up on the roost. I don't think he's lost weight, and I've been watching to make sure he's eating and drinking okay. That side of things seems normal.
I put up a much wider roost yesterday (a sideways 2x4). I put him on it yesterday and he settled in nicely. I put him back on there this evening and he settled even faster this time.
I'm looking for any other ideas about how to make him more comfortable. Currently their floor is just dirt. I'm wondering if adding any kind of bedding to the ground might be a good idea.
He's a really sweet guy, and we really bonded back in April when I was soaking him multiple times a day and then caring for him after his surgery.
I'll admit that a little part of me is worried that there might be another underlying thing happening (like maybe him not getting on the roost is weakness?). But I'd like to support him as best I can in the event that this is mainly discomfort in his foot.
Any experience with supporting a chicken with a foot issue very welcome!
Okay, back in April my 6 year old Ameraucana rooster, Poppy, got a terrible infection in his middle toe, probably as a complication from a slipped tendon. (I mistakenly thought he had scaly leg mites due to the swelling in his leg). Poppy had surgery to remove the middle toe (to keep the infection in his bone from spreading further). He recovered well and successfully reintegrated into his flock after a few weeks of recovery.
Fast forward to this week. Temps have plummeted, and I can tell Poppy is really uncomfortable. He's had a bit of a messed up walk since his surgery (he sometimes has to swing his leg out when he walks to keep his balance), though that hasn't seemed to worsen much.
I've noticed that he's been having trouble on the roost (maybe with the cold he's having trouble gripping?). Two nights ago he opted to go into a nesting box instead of up on the roost. I don't think he's lost weight, and I've been watching to make sure he's eating and drinking okay. That side of things seems normal.
I put up a much wider roost yesterday (a sideways 2x4). I put him on it yesterday and he settled in nicely. I put him back on there this evening and he settled even faster this time.
I'm looking for any other ideas about how to make him more comfortable. Currently their floor is just dirt. I'm wondering if adding any kind of bedding to the ground might be a good idea.
He's a really sweet guy, and we really bonded back in April when I was soaking him multiple times a day and then caring for him after his surgery.
I'll admit that a little part of me is worried that there might be another underlying thing happening (like maybe him not getting on the roost is weakness?). But I'd like to support him as best I can in the event that this is mainly discomfort in his foot.
Any experience with supporting a chicken with a foot issue very welcome!
