FlyingRamses Posted February 14, 2010 Share Posted February 14, 2010 Hi One of our bantams is unable to walk on one leg very suddenly, she holds it out in front of her and can't put weight on it. She is eating and drinking and seems okay in herself but just hops around. Anyone have any ideas? Her leg is warm to touch and she does not seem to be in any pain when I move the leg around. I am inclined to just leave her and see how it goes, even if vet x-rayed and found it dislocated or broken, is there much they can do? I understand hens can cope with one bad leg and as long as she does not deteriorate I would rather not mess with her. Let me know your thoughts! Thanks FR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted February 14, 2010 Share Posted February 14, 2010 If it was warm to touch if it were me personally I would just pop her to the vet for them to look at it. We have a hen with ligament damage, she limps but has a splint that the vet put on the leg - it's taking a long time to heal, we don't think it will ever heal completely though. You could see how your hen goes, but with anything I always think its better to nip it in the bud. Up to you though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted February 14, 2010 Share Posted February 14, 2010 We had a cockerel who really damaged the musclea in his leg, we kept him confined and kept him in a rabbit hutch till it healed (it took ages, about two weeks!) Of course we did feel the leg thoroughly for any obvious breaks or damage Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted February 14, 2010 Share Posted February 14, 2010 Any warm spots in her leg could indicate an infection, fracture or break that would need a vet to look at it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 15, 2010 Share Posted February 15, 2010 I agree. For now I would confine her so that she doesn't do herself further damage by trying to keep up with the others. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisEllis Posted February 16, 2010 Share Posted February 16, 2010 This seems the same with my duck, im getting worried now....vets can be excrusiatingly expensive. Our duck limps and i can;t imagine what she had done, she still swims and eats fine. But i guess a trip to the vets is a good idea...how long had your chicken had a bad leg for. if its just a day or two might be ok to see how it goes, has she got anything stuck there? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyingRamses Posted February 17, 2010 Author Share Posted February 17, 2010 Hello all, thank you so much for the kind and helpful comments. We took Petal to the vet yesterday and she diagnosed a chicken version of knee dislocation, a slipped tendon which cannot be repaired. Good news is that she will learn over next couple of weeks how to best walk with it and will be absolutely fine although we must watch for possible arthritis as she becomes and old lady!! What a relief!! Both my wife and I and the vet were very concerned as she was thoroughly examining her leg and then realised she had dozed off like she was getting a fantastic massage, hilarious!! So, no x-rays and a bill for £38 which seemed fair for 30 mins time and some anti-inflammatories! Thanks again all, hope this will reassure those of you with similar concerns. FR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted February 17, 2010 Share Posted February 17, 2010 Thanks for the update. Petal's injury sounds similar to my Acorn's... vet said ours was ligament damage and again cannot be repaired so it will make a slow recovery. She is ok in herself though and manages to get about just fine so I am sure your Petal will be the same. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
