Dropped wing feathers????

Sue

Sue

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Came home this afternoon to find one of my Buff Sussex tripping over a bunch of her wing feathers! It's the side that the breeder clipped for me when I had her, but they are hanging down, sometimes going between her legs as she walks. About 4 or 5 feathers I think. Does she have a broken wing or what could it be? She is very healthy and very lively and I can't catch her to have a look as I don't want to spook her and cause more damage! They have been in their run all day, so I don't understand what could have happened. Any suggestions as to what it could be and what I should do.
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We had a hybrid that developed a lazy wing which she couldn't tuck up properly. Eventually sorted itself out after about 4 weeks. It's Daffodil who is in the house now with swollen feet and suspected Arthritis. Think you need to clip the feathers Sue before she makes it worse for herself.
 
They have already been clipped to stop her flying. I don't know how much more I can cut Chris. I'm going to have to leave it until tomorrow now as they are just going to bed. I hope that will be ok. How do I know the difference between a broken wing and a 'lazy' wing? She was fine at lunchtime.
 
She'll be able to lift her lazy wing if you tuck it up for her, but then it will drop again at some time. Daffodil's dropped when she moved but she could tuck it up slightly herself when stationary and I used to tuck it up completely. You can feel muscle resistance. If its just floppy and painful for her it is broken or dislocated I think -trip to the vet as you may be able to bind it up until it mends. Never had that problem before -one of the few I think!
 
chrismahon said:
Never had that problem before -one of the few I think!
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So sorry to hear about her wing, Sue. It could only happen to one of yours - another entry in your Encyclopedia of Chicken Problems! Do let us know how she gets on tomorrow.
 
I've posted some photos now. Maybe it will help identify the problem. I don't know whether to go to a 'real' chicken vet or the vet who has chickens himself. The problem with the 'real' chicken vet is that they usually deal with 'commercial' breeders etc., so probably haven't got much experience of dealing with this sort of problem, as they probably wouldn't bother treating it. Whereas the small animal vet who keeps hens himself is much more likely to want to help her. I think I've just answered my own question haven't I!!!! I'll give him a ring tomorrow.

You're right Marigold, it could only happen to one of mine!!! I should know better really and not keep animals at all! The ones with problems always seem to come to me. I'm just glad I've only got 7 hens and not 20 or 30. Can you imagine the problems I would have then!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
Now I can see the photos that's exactly how Daffodil's wing looked. She seems to be moving about happily enough, but still check it as I mentioned before.
 
Oh dear, poor hen!

Just keep an eye on her Sue for a day or two, if it is nothing it will probably sort itself out, for sure start improving in a day or two.

I think though, it might be a good idea to gently pick her out tonight, and just check her over gently. Does it feel warm? Check her feet is she gripping OK? Finally does she feel about right weight wise.
 
I agree with Foxy, I'd pick her up and examinr the wing. Run your fingers along the bone to see if you can feel a break. If she feels OK I'd keep an eye on her for a few days as she looks very healthy. It might be that the featheres have caught up on something and got bent. I don't have a lot of experience as I don't clip mine.
 
Checked her last night and her feet are ok, she's a good weight and I couldn't feel anything wrong with the wing, but I'm not sure I would be able to tell anyway, unless it was very obvious.

Anyway, this morning I was expecting things to be just as bad or worse and expecting a visit to the vet. BUT the wing is back into almost it's normal position, so obviously no break. Interestingly the other wing is tucked right back up as well. I didn't notice the difference yesterday, but the other wing was also dropped slightly. This one is right back up again this morning, but the other one is still showing the black feathers, so not quite right.

What could be causing this? Something is obviously not right, but could she just be tired? She is the most active hen I have, always on the go.

I'll see how she is this afternoon as yesterday, it dropped within a couple of hours towards the end of the afternoon.

Thanks everyone for you advice yesterday.
 
Things seem to be improving! The wing is still dropped slightly, but nothing like it was yesterday afternoon. I have been trying to work out how she could have knocked her back and my husband suggested that it may have been when she comes out of the house in the morning. It's an automatic door and they always queue up to get out and as soon as it opens an inch or so they are all pushing and shoving to get out. No patiently waiting in line like good English hens!!!!! So she could have been trampled or pushed up against the door as someone was scrambling to get underneath her! If it is bruising to her back then I think this is the only explanation. Quite what I do to avoid this happening I don't know. It's a wooden door and quite light. I suppose I could get some pipe insulating foam to put on the bottom, but would they peck at this? Any ideas anyone?

Of course it may not be this and I will have to see how she is tomorrow, but the improvement today is probably a good sign.
 
We had a large secondhand polytunnel in pieces on the lawn while I figured out how it all went together. The hens ate all the heat insulating foam strip off it. Fortunately it all passed through! So I think foam rubber anywhere near chickens is not a good idea Sue.
 
Oh dear! That idea is out the window then Chris. Can't think of anything else 'chicken friendly' to use.
 
Maybe try setting the opening time at least an hour earlier? If they are crowding to get out it sounds as if they've been waiting for it to open. What time is it set to? If they can get up as and when they're ready the problem may solve itself.

Or of course, just leave it open now it's not freezing any more.
 
Marigold, I don't know whether I can alter the time as it's not on a timer, it's light sensitive. Does anyone who has this type of opener know if I can adjust it?
 
You can usually fine adjust the light sensitivity on that sort of unit. They have to do it to correct circuit component variables and it depends where the sensor is located in the coop as well. Should be a tiny screw slot adjuster somewhere, but check the manual.
 
Just a note, it might be the door itself opening which will signal the rush to the door.

I have the same door opener I think, although ours are all on timers. I will take a photo of the round black thingy with a hole in the middle (potentiometer?) tommorrow for you, but I think the instructions are on line somewhere will have a look later for you
 
What shape is the door opener Sue? i think your coop is the same as mine only with the auto door thingy, don't know if this makes a difference. Mine is a sort of triangular door with the hinged point at the top, and one side moves sideways to open it, so you can adjust the size of the gap if you want to leave it partly open in cold weather. Does the auto door open quite slowly? A few days when it was down to minus 10, I did shut them up completely and they did pile out like you described, but I was able to open the door quickly to give them room to get out. Maybe the mechanism works more slowly than a person so the first one out gets her wing squashed on occasion?
Perhaps in any case it was just a one-off, as you've been using the auto door for quite a while now and only the one hen has been affected. I hope so. If any more have problems it will need more thought!
I'm glad she's better, anyway.
 
Things don't look good this morning! Both wings are slightly dropped and she's not her usual active 'noisy' self. I'm now very worried. Working today so can't get her to the vets until late this afternoon. Wish I'd taken her yesterday now, but she seemed much better.

Marigold, this hen is in my wooden coop and this has a square wooden door.
 
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