There is something wrong with my hen.

[Missy020219]

I have a 4-year-old laying hen, I don't know what breed, but she isn't using one leg. She jumps around on her god leg but is laying down most of the day. I don't think anything is broken. She doesn't try and peck me or anything when I try to make her stand on it. But she's not the same. I could never pick her up before without her flapping her wings and trying to getaway. I had a hen die while we were on a trip, so I don't want to lose another. Does anyone know what's wrong?

 

[Eggcessive]

I would probably just use warm soapy water with a little dishwashing liquid for about 15 minutes. Rub off any dirt or debris. Dry her well before placing back in the coop, or leave her inside.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I have a 4-year-old laying hen, I don't know what breed, but she isn't using one leg. She jumps around on her god leg but is laying down most of the day. I don't think anything is broken. She doesn't try and peck me or anything when I try to make her stand on it. But she's not the same. I could never pick her up before without her flapping her wings and trying to getaway. I had a hen die while we were on a trip, so I don't want to lose another. Does anyone know what's wrong?

Hi Missy, Welcome To BYC

I'm sorry to hear about your hen.
Do you know when she last laid an egg?
Any swelling of the foot, toes or joints?
Any scabs or swelling of the bottom of the foot?
Does she have smooth scales on the legs and feet or does she have scaly leg mites?

Feel her abdomen between her legs and below the vent - any swelling or bulging there?
With her age and some of the symptoms you describe, she may be suffering from a reproductive disorder, it can be hard to know with hens sometimes.

Is she eating/drinking on her own o.k.?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I'll get back to you later about how she looks. But she is eating and drinking on her own. the last time she laid an egg was probably a few weeks ago. I started to bring my goats and dogs into the chicken coop just before my hens all stopped laying. But the last time I felt her leg her ankle or whatever you call it was hotter than her other ankle.

I just checked on her and noticed on the bone near her butt on her belly there were not a lot of feathers which you can see where I circled it. View attachment 2009132
This is how it looks when she's standing.View attachment 2009135View attachment 2009139
I also noticed that a bit of her foot is green. The green is way brighter in real life. View attachment 2009141

The green is bruising. When you wash up her feet, have someone take photos of the bottoms of her feet as well.

 

[Missy020219]

Hi Missy, Welcome To BYC

I'm sorry to hear about your hen.
Do you know when she last laid an egg?
Any swelling of the foot, toes or joints?
Any scabs or swelling of the bottom of the foot?
Does she have smooth scales on the legs and feet or does she have scaly leg mites?

Feel her abdomen between her legs and below the vent - any swelling or bulging there?
With her age and some of the symptoms you describe, she may be suffering from a reproductive disorder, it can be hard to know with hens sometimes.

Is she eating/drinking on her own o.k.?

I'll get back to you later about how she looks. But she is eating and drinking on her own. the last time she laid an egg was probably a few weeks ago. I started to bring my goats and dogs into the chicken coop just before my hens all stopped laying. But the last time I felt her leg her ankle or whatever you call it was hotter than her other ankle.

 

[Missy020219]

The leg with the band is her good
leg. Her feet are still a little dirty cause I couldn’t wash them really good with the gloves I was using.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I agree, she's got a lot of bruising. Hopefully the foot is not broken, I would let her take it easy. It sounds like she is self limiting her activity.

Ahhh...you have goats, I wonder if her foot was stepped on.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

That’s what my mom thinks. And I wouldn’t be surprised they are very re less. How can you know if it’s broken?

An Xray would show any breaks.
I've only dealt with broken toes and those were obvious (gone crooked).
I think I would just keep watch on her and see how it goes. See that she's eating/drinking well.
If she's picked on, then consider caging her for protection.

 

[Missy020219]

An Xray would show any breaks.
I've only dealt with broken toes and those were obvious (gone crooked).
I think I would just keep watch on her and see how it goes. See that she's eating/drinking well.
If she's picked on, then consider caging her for protection.

She was the bossy one. But there are two that take advantage of her no being able to walk. But my grey hen seems to leave her alone.

 

[chrissynemetz]

Can you try to get some pictures of her, maybe of her legs and feet as well as full body pictures?