We have a hen with a bad limp

[rebecca10782]

I don't know if anyone can really help with something like this, but our hen has had a limp for a few days. She doesn't have anything on the sole of her foot, so I am assuming it is the leg. She doesn't act sick and is keeping up with the other girls. Should we keep her confined to tight quarters or leg her free range like we have been doing?

 

[CovenantCreek]

A couple months ago I went through the same thing with one of my girls. I found her hiding out in the coop by herself while everyone else was out in the yard. She only stayed in the coop the one day, then tried to keep up with the others. Nothing on her foot to indicate the source of the problem, and completely healthy otherwise. I put her in my barn for the day so she'd be safe from predators. In the evening I put back in the coop with the others. Next morning she went out with the rest. I just kept an eye on her to make sure she was able to stay safe, gave her treats separate from the rest so she didn't miss out on anything, and let her decide what she wanted to do. Her limp gradually got better. She still has a slight trace of it, but it doesn't slow her down.

I would say that if your girl is able to keep up with the rest, let her go out. If she shows signs of stress or not being able to stay with them, then consider keeping her in.