Why is this chicken thing so hard........-Missing-Limping-Molting/Bugs

[motoclown]

Why is this chicken thing so hard sometimes, so far It's been a great and rewarding experience,
but this week started new challenges for 5 chickens.

1. I have a missing chicken, broody somewhere or food for our new foxes.*(no roster, so the eggs wouldn't be fertile)
2. A Limping Chicken this morning.............been reading all morning here about causes.
3. A molting chicken or she has bugs, post pic later, she won't let me catch her now I'll have to check her later.

Thanks for listening, my kids "Why are you on that site again?'lol

 

[teach1rusl]

Probably the same reason serious illness/accidents always seem to befall my dogs and cats over the weekend (when emergency animal care is MOST expensive)... blame Mr. Murphy.

Check the bottom of the limping chicken's foot for a dark, roundish scabby looking thing...that would be bumblefoot if it's there. Lots of chickens are molting now, so after she roosts tonight, snatch her up and check for bugs. If you don't see any, she's most likely just molting.

 

[crj]

Yep, I agree with everything teach1rusl said.

 

[motoclown]

!. No sign of the missing chicken.

2. I checked her foot good last night, no scabs or sores.
I have fattened up these girls this summer, maybe too much, I think I'll cut down on their treats.
My top roost is about 5 feet high, is that too high to jump down from?

3. Checked her for bugs last night, didn't see any, but I could be wrong.
Pics......

 

[teach1rusl]

Oh YEAH...your chickie there is regrowing feathers from a molt.
And yes, I would definitely add a chicken ramp/ladder for a 5ft. roost. That's quite a height for the big girls...really pad that floor with several inches of bedding too...
Sorry about your missing bird