Chicken bald back

[HRC99]

Yup, another thread about a limping chicken. Just wanted to check to see if we were doing the right things.

 

Gladys had been limping for a little bit. We added more limestone flour to the feed but I don't think she was eating a huge amount as she was being picked on by the others. When Rosie started limping, we offered her some grit which she wolfed down, so we did the same for Gladys who just turned her nose up at it.

 

She is very skittish and difficult to catch. She gets very upset if cornered so we don't like to try and catch her unless we absolutely have to. Bizarrely, she quite enjoys a cuddle if you do catch her!

 

Anyway back to the limp.

 

The limping got worse and she took a tumble downstairs then didn't come out of the nesting box. She didn't seem to be able to put any weight at all onto her leg. At that point, we grabbed her and looked at her leg. There was no sign of a cut and I gently pressed all along the foot and leg to see if she had anywhere that was painful. She didn't seem to be in pain at all.

 

We then thought that some rest off her feet would be good for her and put some food and water in the nesting box, but the others keep kicking her out. So we've moved her inside into our lounge with big cardboard box and a cage by way of a run. She's been inside a couple of days now and seems quite content but doesn't seem to be making any progress.

 

She's got a reasonable appetite still eating some pellets and bits of corn and any green veg we can chuck in for her.

 

I was just wondering how long we should let her stay in there off her feet or if anyone else had any other suggestions or ideas?

 

Thanks!

[The Dogmother]

Unless there are any obvious injuries (such as to the pad under her foot) then I'd recommend a couple of days in confined surroundings (arnica always helps any injuries) and take her to the vet if it doesn't improve.

[HRC99]

Arnica? How would we give her that and where could we get some?

[The Dogmother]

Just use the arnica pillules sold in Boots for hoomans, she might eat them just as they are, or you may want to crush into a little yoghurt or banana to make her eat it.

[HRC99]

Off to Boots in a minute! Thanks for your help.

[The Dogmother]

That's OK, I always have some Arnica in the house - it's great for any bumps and bruises.

[HRC99]

Sorry to say that Gladys didn't improve and I took her to the vets where they put her to sleep.

 

Very sad. We'd had her almost two years and she's the first one we've lost.

[Egluntyne]

That is a shame. Sorry to hear it.

[Groovychook]

So sorry to hear about Gladys

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Sorry to hear that .