Update on the limping Hen

[Harun]

So, the limping pullet has been doing somewhat well, but some of her behaviors has sparked a few questions. First of all, I just wanted to say thank you for all of your advice. I wouldn’t even have successfully raised my chicks without this community. Anyways, she’s doing okay, she can actually stand on her left leg(the broken one,) but all of the TLC I’ve given her might’ve spoiled her, unless she just likes my family and I. Every time I’m outside letting them roam, she almost always walks toward me while making some obnoxious chirps. She sits at my feet and scrapes at me until I pick her up, or even sometimes flies up onto my lap. I think it’s very cute nonetheless, but I’m worried she’ll become dependent on me, as I’ve been feeding her all by myself daily because she still feels somewhat light. Can a chicken become too dependent on their owner, or are they hardwired to live independently with their flock? Anyways, here’s a video of her limp now:

When not walking door doing anything, she’ll stand quite low to the ground, sometimes with one of her wings out and dragging onto the floor. Perhaps she’s trying to balance since her right leg is still somewhat broken. Here’s a pic:

 

[theoldchick]

These things can go either way. If your flock rejects her she might stick close to you for protection. The special food treats will keep her coming. You might have to make her handicap living quarters to live in. I did this with a rooster who had a bumblefoot case go very bad. He was left with a strange foot and a limp. He needed ramps to get about and I housed him with a gentle hen that would not beat him up. Yeah, I could have culled him but he was an inspiration to visitors who were amazed at well he adapted to his disability.

 

[Harun]

These things can go either way. If your flock rejects her she might stick close to you for protection. The special food treats will keep her coming. You might have to make her handicap living quarters to live in. I did this with a rooster who had a bumblefoot case go very bad. He was left with a strange foot and a limp. He needed ramps to get about and I housed him with a gentle hen that would not beat him up. Yeah, I could have culled him but he was an inspiration to visitors who were amazed at well he adapted to his disability.

They haven’t shown any aggression toward her, only my two cockerels but that’s what young Roos do. I don’t give her treats anymore, just typical feed. I’ve also tried to make so many splints for her, but she always manages to take it off somehow. If the others become aggressive toward her, seeing her as weak, I may separate her from the flock but keep her with another friendly chicken. I don’t know what else to do for her except wait for her leg to get better.

 

[Lizzy733]

Congratulations, you're officially a member of her flock. This doesn't necessarily mean she won't ever get along with the other hens, but she shows some favoritism with you. We hand-reared our first batch of chicks from 1 week old and they are always 'glued to the door' when I'm out of the house and like to spend their free-range time around me. They would even 'breach' the deck on occasion to pop their heads in the house and look for us if we weren't outside (even though they're not supposed to be up there). Our non-hand reared hens are a bit more estranged.

The biggest questions here would be how long was she separated; what ages are her flockmates; and how are they treating her now that she's back with them - particularly at night on the perches and around feeding time.

Outsider aggression tends to show up after 6 weeks of age and when a hen is away from the flock for over a week. That being said, some hens are more accepting than others, so how they are treating her is the main consideration here. If she is not tolerated at roost time or being kept from food and water, check out a post on integrating a new bird and work your way through the steps. You may be able to move faster through them depending on your flock's behavior.

Also, consider their environment and whether it may be a bit too much for her injury. Are food, roosting and laying boxes easily accessible? Are there any fall hazards she will need to worry about?

Thanks to our one silkie, I've made made everything in our run with accessibility in mind. We have runged ramps up everything and tread tape on any areas that might get slick. She does not take any running leaps off the accessibility porch like some of our other girls and doesn't use some of the play perches since she can't jump very high. - but does use 'low' perches like a log round or wooden beam set across the ground.

 

[Harun]

Congratulations, you're officially a member of her flock. This doesn't necessarily mean she won't ever get along with the other hens, but she shows some favoritism with you. We hand-reared our first batch of chicks from 1 week old and they are always 'glued to the door' when I'm out of the house and like to spend their free-range time around me. They would even 'breach' the deck on occasion to pop their heads in the house and look for us if we weren't outside (even though they're not supposed to be up there). Our non-hand reared hens are a bit more estranged.

The biggest questions here would be how long was she separated; what ages are her flockmates; and how are they treating her now that she's back with them - particularly at night on the perches and around feeding time.

Outsider aggression tends to show up after 6 weeks of age and when a hen is away from the flock for over a week. That being said, some hens are more accepting than others, so how they are treating her is the main consideration here. If she is not tolerated at roost time or being kept from food and water, check out a post on integrating a new bird and work your way through the steps. You may be able to move faster through them depending on your flock's behavior.

Also, consider their environment and whether it may be a bit too much for her injury. Are food, roosting and laying boxes easily accessible? Are there any fall hazards she will need to worry about?

Thanks to our one silkie, I've made made everything in our run with accessibility in mind. We have runged ramps up everything and tread tape on any areas that might get slick. She does not take any running leaps off the accessibility porch like some of our other girls and doesn't use some of the play perches since she can't jump very high. - but does use 'low' perches like a log round or wooden beam set across the ground.

The roost is pretty low and easily accessible. The food and water is also pretty accessible. It’s a little high just to keep them from dirtying it, but she doesn’t struggle to eat or drink. The other pullets don’t seem to show any aggression towards her, just the cockerels every once in a while, however, half of the day I have them inside to not annoy the neighbors from their constant crowing.

 

[Lizzy733]

The roost is pretty low and easily accessible. The food and water is also pretty accessible. It’s a little high just to keep them from dirtying it, but she doesn’t struggle to eat or drink. The other pullets don’t seem to show any aggression towards her, just the cockerels every once in a while, however, half of the day I have them inside to not annoy the neighbors from their constant crowing.

Cockerels may cause her trouble if they try to mount her with a healing leg. Keep an eye out on their behavior as they start to mature - especially near point of lay time - and make sure there are plenty of hens per cockerel and a lot of space for her to get away if needed.

 

[Harun]

Cockerels may cause her trouble if they try to mount her with a healing leg. Keep an eye out on their behavior as they start to mature - especially near point of lay time - and make sure there are plenty of hens per cockerel and a lot of space for her to get away if needed.

Got it. Thanks.