Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Poultry and Pets => The Hen House => Topic started by: gracie on March 07, 2018, 18:11

Title: Lame 7 year old chicken
Post by: gracie on March 07, 2018, 18:11
 my 7 year old Gracie is not able to move about. It seems her left leg is not taking her weight, her undercarriage is filthy so she has obviously been dragging herself about today. I have thought she has been lazy as a couple of times i've seen her in the nest box rather than on her perch. Any thoughts of what i can do at this time of night. Should I bring her in and put her in a large trunk, i can put straw and food in it for her, but then do i just leave her in there tomorrow when i go to work. I have been so lucky and in almost 7 years never had a poorly girl so I'm literally flapping a bit myself. Just going to prepare a big trunk before it gets dark incase you think its a good idea. Is indoors too warm for her, i can put her in the utility with no heating.

I have just been to check on her and she has got into the nest box and was happily preening herself. I have left her food and drink where the others sleep so she won't have to come down the ladder, they have all been together so long my husband is thinking that she will be stresses away from the others. There is no sign that the other 3 are picking on her.
Title: Re: Lame 7 year old chicken
Post by: LILLILEAF on March 07, 2018, 18:56
Hi
Firstly I would check her feet,wash them so you can see if she has any cuts,if it is a cut wash well then dry then spray with purple spray if you have some it will dry in a few minutes and kill any bacteria if there is a wound.or use wound powder.
If you have her in a box I would bed her down on shavings if you have any,the shavings will dry her feathers absorb any water better than straw.
Check she has food and water close so she can help herself so she does not loose condition while she is off her feet,if she does not improve in a few days she may need to see a vet.
Title: Re: Lame 7 year old chicken
Post by: gracie on March 07, 2018, 19:17
Thank you. I’ve been out to her and she seems quite settled . We had a lovely cuddle and other than a mucky tummy I checked her all over and no sign of a cut, also checked her rear end for anything untoward and that was actually lovely and clean so hopefully no runny poo.
As she seems ok I’m going to move her in the morning if she is still not moving freely.


Hi
Firstly I would check her feet,wash them so you can see if she has any cuts,if it is a cut wash well then dry then spray with purple spray if you have some it will dry in a few minutes and kill any bacteria if there is a wound.or use wound powder.
If you have her in a box I would bed her down on shavings if you have any,the shavings will dry her feathers absorb any water better than straw.
Check she has food and water close so she can help herself so she does not loose condition while she is off her feet,if she does not improve in a few days she may need to see a vet.
Title: Re: Lame 7 year old chicken
Post by: LILLILEAF on March 08, 2018, 05:36
Just a thought are either of her feet swollen?there is some thing called bumble foot,this can be an infection inside the foot.
Or she may have simply pulled a muscle doing chicken things,which could clear up in a few days,just keep an eye on her,i know its not much help its all i can think of at the moment ::)