Swollen Hock

[aurajean515]

Hey everyone,
My main man BigMac hurt his leg after flying off the roost and landing wrong. I noticed he was limping and resting often. I figured he would be fine and let him be. The next day I found him lying on the floor of the coop. His hock is warm to the touch and pretty swollen now, and he wont bend his leg or put any weight on it. It's been a couple days now and although it hasnt gotten worse, I havent seen any improvements either. Any ideas on what I could do to help him out?

 

[annaBsChick]

I had something similar happen to my rooster which quickly led to a life-threatening infection. I caution you to bring him to see your vet as soon as possible - http://www.poultrydvm.com/poultry-vets.php

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hey everyone,
My main man BigMac hurt his leg after flying off the roost and landing wrong. I noticed he was limping and resting often. I figured he would be fine and let him be. The next day I found him lying on the floor of the coop. His hock is warm to the touch and pretty swollen now, and he wont bend his leg or put any weight on it. It's been a couple days now and although it hasnt gotten worse, I havent seen any improvements either. Any ideas on what I could do to help him out?

Can you post some photos of the legs and hock?
How old is BigMac?

If you haven't done so, cage him within the coop/run so his activity is restricted and he has easy access to food/water.
Seeking vet care is best.

 

[Eggcessive]

A vet for an xray would always be the best bet. It sounds like he may have suffered a bad sprain or torn ligament. @Wyorp Rock ’s suggestion of keeping him confined to limit his activity would be helpful. There probably will be swelling, and once that is down a bit, you might be able to support his leg by wrapping it above and below the joint in a normal position, but just don’t get it too tight.

 

[aurajean515]

Can you post some photos of the legs and hock?
How old is BigMac?

If you haven't done so, cage him within the coop/run so his activity is restricted and he has easy access to food/water.
Seeking vet care is best.

He's 3 years old, and I have had him confined within the coop for since I found him lying on the floor.
I uploaded two pics, one of his swollen hock and one of his other hock so you can see a comparison

 

[Wyorp Rock]

How old is he?
How does he stand - is the leg crooked under him?
The swollen joint, at one time does it look like it may have had fluid under the skin?

 

[aurajean515]

How old is he?
How does he stand - is the leg crooked under him?
The swollen joint, at one time does it look like it may have had fluid under the skin?

Hes 3. He holds his leg close to his body, so he doesnt stand, he cant hold up his whole body with just one leg. When I've felt it, it does feel like it might have fluid in there. Ive been giving him extra vitamins and electrolytes in his water but its not doing much for him, that i can tell anyway

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Any way you can see a vet?

It sounds like it might be infected, but it's hard to know. Have you added any birds lately that had respiratory illness?

 

[aurajean515]

Any way you can see a vet?

It sounds like it might be infected, but it's hard to know. Have you added any birds lately that had respiratory illness?

I I haven't added any birds. What makes you think its infected? And what about it connects to respiratory illness?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

When I've felt it, it does feel like it might have fluid in there.

I I haven't added any birds. What makes you think its infected? And what about it connects to respiratory illness?

Well, the swelling is from something, the likely source would be some type of infection of the joint.

There is a connection of respiratory illness (Mycoplasma Gallisepticum) with another type of Mycoplasma (Synovaie) that affects the joints - usually there is fluid in the joint.