Smart Feeder - Light sensor values

[pamelafilby]

I have three big English Sussex Chickens, Sporty, Baby and Posh. Ironically enough, Sporty, tripped over her feet maybe two years ago, and didn't walk well. Dragged her off to the vet, and he gave her a cortizone injection. She was never exactly an Olymic contender after that, but she was OK. However, my son, energetic 9 year old, was playing last month and scared her a bit, and she set off, floofed into the air, and obviously came down heavily on her limping foot. Now she really can't walk. My husband and I massaged it for three weeks, every day, with Volterol gel. It was blue and bruised. But now she just doesn't really move a lot. I lift her into the Omlet at night, and she makes her roost on the partition between the nest box and the main bit. Then I put her on the lawn in the evening, when the other two are 'free' and out of their big outside coop. She pecks OK and eats her grub, and has a drink, but she just doesn't walk. I then carry her into the main bit at bedtime. In so far, as a chicken is 'happy', I don't think she's 'unhappy'. She just holds her leg flat, unless she rises high on her toes, when she uses her wings to help her balance. It's almost like her 'hips' are a problem? I can't take her back to the vet, he made it obvious that he thought I was a fruitcake the first time I arrived with Sporty. I live in France, and my neighbours would have all had her Poule au Pot long ago. A girlfriend of mine, a nice lady who had a chicken in Paris, me, and my husband, an airline pilot with lots of Red Cross type experience, all 'know' she hasn't broken her leg. She has power in it. But she just can't support herself. What can she have done, what can I do? I don't want to have her put to sleep - I REALLY like this chicken. She has a character and I can't just snuff it out. Were she a battery hen, she would be in a tiny space and wouldn't move anyway. Am I being selfish and cruel keeping her alive? Her comb is bright red, her eyes are bright and other than the fact that she is sedentary, healthy. Help me someone......please?

[pamelafilby]

Sorry, didn't know what a WIR was. She stays in the Eglu, and dosn't go into the WIR in the day. But when the other two have a troll around in the late afternoon, I lift her out then. Many thanks, Pamela.

[Looney]

I don't know what to suggest if vets isn't an option One of my chickens started limping badly a couple of years ago and we took her to the vets who gave us some antibiotics as he thought it was some sort of joint infection / inflammation. He said that it wasn't the first time he'd come across it. We think it started when she'd skidded badly when trying to stop after running across the garden.

 

As to whether you are being selfish / cruel, I would say that you are the best judge of that. You know your chicken and know when she is happy or content and when she isn't so I think you should trust your judgement. Big hugs x

[hippy chick]

I think that you will know yourself when the time for being PTS has come.

 

I had a chuck go lame. She couldn't stand up at all but after a 7 weeks of living in the house with us she made a complete recovery. Although she was left with a bit of a limp.

 

I did have to to give her some anti inflammatory for a few days. And lots of tlc.

 

 

I hope that she improves for you.

[pamelafilby]

Thank you so much for your responses. I know that you think I'm a dummie, because I didn't know what a WIR was (but I worked it out!!) but I have no idea what PTS is. I can work out what it is but not the words. Whilst on the subject of this (is it Put to Sleep?) how can I put a chicken to sleep? Anything else is not really a possibility. My neighbour kills his chickens and his rabbits for the pot, but this sounds awful and stressful for the animal to say the least. I know I sound a really twit, but I have had these birds for neigh on three years, and they have been a problem free delight. Well, the odd problem, but nothing insurmountable, lice, ticks and original limps. Problem is now, I really feel guilty. I just can't see what the problem is. Surely she wouldn't eat and drink and respond to a fuss if she were in agony, I 'feel' that this is more discomfort rather than anything else.

[Egluntyne]

Why not try her with a calcium supplement? No idea what might be available in France, but calcium has been known to help limping chickens. There are several threads on the subject, from way back, if you fancy doing a search.

[pamelafilby]

I am going to try this. I have sort of decided that she looks 'bright and happy' and that therefore I shall try to do my best to improve her life, and if not just get used to carrying her around a lot. She can sort of walk on her tiptoes. Its weird, we have massaged and rubbed - I thought young kids with ailments were frustrating! But this is driving me dotty. Many thanks!