Single hen

[Tiggy]

Edina would not come out of the pen yesterday and was sitting on the ground refusing to move. I took her up onto the lawn with me and she did not want to put any weight on her rt leg, I had some NSAID drops from the vet when saffy sprained her hip so gave her a few drops of it, she seems to be eating & drinking OK. She did manage a few steps about 30 mins later & did make a short dash to the veg patch but soon sat down again. She holds on to my fingers v tightly when I hold her and seems to be OK if I move her leg . She managed to climb the ramp up into the eglu last night but was back on the floor again this morning, but I've had to go to work. I'm worried the others will not let her near the feeders and pinch food off her if I give it to her in a separate feeder on the floor. I dont like to take her away from her mates but maybe a few days in the cat carier may hepl, what do you all think

[Cazjohn]

Hi Tiggy,

 

Rusty and Limpy have got leg problems at the moment, it's a good idea to feel the legs to see if they are warm or hot - if so could be an infection.

 

Mine are both on Baytril, Rusty seems to need a dose every six months then goes back to walking normally!

[Egluntyne]

A calcium supplement can often help with a limping hen. Try adding some Limestone Flour to her pellets, with a dollop of codliver oil to aid absorption, or some Zolcal D to her water.

 

Have you checked her foot for any signs of heat, swelling or obvious cuts?

[Tiggy]

she dosn't seem to have any obvious injury so I will try the limestone flour, she seems better after the anti inflammatory drops so I wonder if it is a sprain, she was out in the run with the others this morning but still not as mobile as she should be, is eating & drinking OK. I had her out on the lawn with me when I got home last night she spent most of the time sitting down pecking at the grass. Limestone flour, should I be able to get it from the same suppliers as the layers pellets?