Very lame chicken

[Anonymous]

Hi there everyone,

We have an Old English Game chicken who is currently doing a fantastic job of raising 12 chicks. She has been taking them out and about and carefully bringing them all home to a goat shelter each evening, where they are shut in for the night. However, 2 days ago I noticed that she was moving about very little and was standing on one leg. On closer inspection she is unable to weight bear on one leg and is hopping if she needs to move, although this in only in very short bursts as she falls over frequently. My concern is that we put a horse into the field where the goat shelter is on Sunday and I am wondering whether she has somehow got under his hooves and injured her leg. The joint immediately above the foot (knee joint?) is quite swollen compared to the other leg and I am at a loss as to what to do with her. I tried keeping her and the chicks in but they became quite frustrated and so they are out and about again today. It may seem a daft idea but should I try splinting or bandaging the leg, or giving her some simple medication?

Any ideas gratefully received as the poor girl has been such a good mum to these chicks so far.

:?

 

[Bertie & The Chooks]

Hi there everyone,

We have an Old English Game chicken who is currently doing a fantastic job of raising 12 chicks. She has been taking them out and about and carefully bringing them all home to a goat shelter each evening, where they are shut in for the night. However, 2 days ago I noticed that she was moving about very little and was standing on one leg. On closer inspection she is unable to weight bear on one leg and is hopping if she needs to move, although this in only in very short bursts as she falls over frequently. My concern is that we put a horse into the field where the goat shelter is on Sunday and I am wondering whether she has somehow got under his hooves and injured her leg. The joint immediately above the foot (knee joint?) is quite swollen compared to the other leg and I am at a loss as to what to do with her. I tried keeping her and the chicks in but they became quite frustrated and so they are out and about again today. It may seem a daft idea but should I try splinting or bandaging the leg, or giving her some simple medication?

Any ideas gratefully received as the poor girl has been such a good mum to these chicks so far.

:?

Honestly, if it were me I would have a work with a vet and see if they can give her some pain relief/anti-inflammatory to reduce swelling and discomfort for her. possibly bandage it for her so she can have more support on the limb. Not to mention let them have a look to see if it's broken or could potentially be infected if not a clean break. I would not try medicating her with anything unless the vet advises. Human medications are not recommended. You could use Devil's Claw, but i don't know the dosage i'm afraid.

 

[chrismahon]

I agree with Bertie. Urgent trip to vets before knee collapses completely and she can't look after the chicks. Bad news if its broken I think. Perhaps horses and hens with chicks are a bad mix as the hen will sacrifice herself to protect the chicks from what she sees as a threat.

 

[jubilee]

I agree with what has been said above, and perhaps make her a smaller area in which to plod about with her chicks, so she's not in any danger from either the horse, or other preditors which might pick her off if she's lame. The vet will be able to decide what treatment is best for her. Although i'm pretty sure there isn't a licenced anti-inflammatory for poultry, they can give her something to ease it maybe. I once used Ibuleive gel on a hen which had sprained her thigh from jumping down from a perch, (Now all perches are removed for my heavy birds.) That seemed to ease it for her, but this sounds a bit more serious than a simple sprain. Hope she improves.Good luck.
JubesX

 

[Bertie & The Chooks]

I agree with what has been said above, and perhaps make her a smaller area in which to plod about with her chicks, so she's not in any danger from either the horse, or other preditors which might pick her off if she's lame. The vet will be able to decide what treatment is best for her. Although i'm pretty sure there isn't a licenced anti-inflammatory for poultry, they can give her something to ease it maybe. I once used Ibuleive gel on a hen which had sprained her thigh from jumping down from a perch, (Now all perches are removed for my heavy birds.) That seemed to ease it for her, but this sounds a bit more serious than a simple sprain. Hope she improves.Good luck.
JubesX

sodium salicylate, flunixin and meloxicam are all ok for poultry, but not licensed so need to be done by a veterinary surgeon.