[feelingbroody]

Hello all

In February this year I was given a lovely little hen pol Fenton blue who had had a broken leg, she had been set carefully in a cast which she stayed in for 12 weeks
She came to live with me and my other three girls ( I posted about her not long after I'd had her to see what her prognosis would be long term )

She has been good on her leg generally perhaps had a bit of a goose step but otherwise fine

Two days ago she started to limp on her bad leg which has now become so bad she can hardly walk and is using her wing to balance it's so sad to see

My question is if I keep her immobile in a cat carrier inside the run might this help
I have flexed her leg it seems to have no tension ie tendon support compared to the other leg
I really don't want to end her life but I don't want her to suffer either
Has anyone had this happen to them ??

Many thanks
A very subdued broody 

[ChristyRose]

Have you taken her to the vet?  I've had chickens with bad legs - not actually broken though.  I would take her to the vet though.  If she has broken it again can they reset it?

[hillfooter]

I don't think anyone can advise you on this without seeing the bird and maybe a vet visit is the best option if there's no real hope it's best to not allow her to suffer.
HF

[Aunt Sally]

Hens can get a bacterial infection in leg joints too so it could be a number of different things.

Vet time

[feelingbroody]

Thanks chaps will do

I have also spoken to her breeder who will give a second opinion i am happy to pay whatever to make sure she is comfortable

Aunty what infections to they get in their legs ? I have never heard of that
Thanks again Hf

[Aunt Sally]

It's a rhumatiod infection, but I'm not sure of its name.  I'm not sugesting this is the cause but just one possibility.

[feelingbroody]

Thanks Aunty will keep you posted   

[Aunt Sally]

Mention Staphylococcal Arthritis

http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index.jsp?cfile=htm/bc/205003.htm&word=Staphylococcal

[Casey76]

I think you have to think of quality of life here broody

As much as you want to make her better, confining her to a small box when she wants to be out scratting around might distress her, especially if the others are outside scratting around too.

I would take her to the vet and get her checked over, but, in my opinion, if the vet mentions infection of the joint, I would probably let her go.

Joint infections are particularly tricky to treat, and it could mean a long period where you have to individually treat the hen with antibiotics and/or pain killers without knowing what the outcome will be (i.e. will her limp be any better at the end of the treatment, or will she be left with a permanent "arthritis")