limping pekin

1920bunny

New member
Joined
May 13, 2012
Messages
17
Reaction score
0
Hello everyone
I am new to chicken keeeping and have 3 lovely pekin girls I have had who are now 14 weeks old .I have only just introduced them into their outdoor coop and run due to the awful weather.
Two days ago, my little lavender splash girl started limping as soon as I put her in the pen. She was fine in the indoor run, just hopped out of the carrier and seemed to land a bit funny, then limped off holding her leg up occasionally, but seeming totally unconcerned and other wise as normal. She has always seemed a lot less confident on her legs than other 2, struggling to get doen the very low ramp in the indoor run, her legs sliding from under her and generally not as quick on her feet. I thought she might have strained it, so watched her carefully and she is eating, drinking, behaving as normal, but still seeming to pull her leg up. Today I really felt her leg carefully, and it feels like 1 or 2 of her toes aren't working-they don't seem to push back or curl round my fingers. Would appreciate any thoughts or advice. I am happy for her to manage as she is, as long as she isn't in pain. Am very worried about vet telling me she is not viable and should be put to sleep if she is otherwise ok. Has anyone else had a problem like this? Or any clues as to what it might be. She definitely has not had a big fall or anything like that, but worried now I think her toes feel funny and want to do the best for her.
 
Welcome to the forum 1920bunny. Some of ours won't curl their toes on demand, but this sounds like a sprain. There must be a swelling somewhere pressing on the nerves. Is her ankle or knee hot to the touch? Can try a cold towel in those areas to reduce any swelling rather than going down the vet and anti-inflammatory route. Is the pad swollen? Their feet are not that sensitive fortunately, but they are prone to impact damage (bumble foot) or cuts. If they sleep on a high perch getting down in the morning may be aggravating the condition.
 
Thanks so much for replying. I cannot find any heat or lumps, and have felt her leg carefully again today. She is out in the run with the others, eating and drinking well, but sitting down quite a lot, and lifting her leg awkwardly when she walks. If she was sitting in a heap not eating, I would ring a vet, but she still seems quite happy, just looks awkward. I know a visit to the vet would be really really stressful for her, just worrying that I am doing the right thing at the moment. It is nice just to talk to other people, as I don't know anyone who keeps chickens.
 
Hi again 1920bunny. Sounds like a hip injury then. We have a large Blue Orpington who tried to jump off the perch and turn in the air to get through the pop-hole. She twisted her hip and limped for 6 weeks. In the meantime we removed the cause by shifting the perch forward so she couldn't turn to go through it. But we didn't take her to the vet as she would have been terrified and the stress could well cause other problems. Most hens are OK, but our two Blue Orpingtons, who lay really well, are very shy, even though we've had them 5 years now.
 
Hi, take a look at my post just above, I had two birds with feet problems, most odd, if she is eating well I would wait and see, I am not at all sure there is any point taking any bird to a vet, they havent a clue and you will waste an aweful lot of money......
 
I am getting more worried about my little pekin. She is wobbly today and doing a lot of sitting, though still interested in food and drink.have been looking round the internet and am now wondering if it could be Mareks?I don't think she is vaccinated and just wondered if anyone has any experience of this awful sounding disease....So worried about my other 2 now, though they seem fine at the moment.any advice appreciated
 

Latest posts

Back
Top