Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[JS1]

One of my original girls, Wonky, who is a hybrid probably aged just over two years, has developed a bad limp. I first noticed it on Wednesday afternoon, it continued yesterday and is just as bad today. We examined her foot and leg and couldn't see any problems with it at all - she didn't even react painfully to having it moved about, so I don't think it can be broken. There are no cuts on the pad, no swellings or anything like that. I was watching her walking and she is bearing weight (ie using both legs) but is definitely hobbling.

 

I'm just not sure what to do. She's eating and drinking and seems her usual happy and enthusiastic self (apart from the limp). I've read some of the other threads which suggest confining her to let her recover but I'm not sure if that's the best thing in this case - I could keep her in the Eglu run (they free-range within an electric fence) but I think she'd pace up and down rather than relax! At the moment, she's pottering about nibbling grass and looking happy. She's also holding her own with the other five (otherwise I would isolate her immediately).

 

What do people think? Would it be any good taking her to the vet (not a specialist)? Should I isolate her? At the moment I'm tending towards vet but it's a 40 mile round trip and I'd rather not distress her unless it's necessary.

 

Any advice gratefully received - just not sure what to do for the best.

 

Edited to add that they were wormed last week (with Flubenvet!) and that I'm attempting to acquire some limestone flour from a horsey friend....

Edited August 31, 2010 by Guest

[Chucky Mama]

Rest is always the best medicine with unexplained limping I think. If there is no obvious injury and she can weight bear then you can try to restrict her a little. Removing her may make reintroduction to the rest a bit of a pain so perhaps help her by moving food and water closer to where she hangs out. You could add some cod liver oil to food and just observe progress over the next few days. If she doesn't improve it would be worth a trip to the vets for an exam, they might give a shot of anti inflams. I have one that goes intermittently lame as she is completely rubbish at getting down the cube ladder. It is quite a sight to behold every morning

[JS1]

Thanks Rachel - I've just been out to see them and she was laying an egg; still very lame and looking generally a bit rough, poor girl. I'll pop some extra feeders and drinkers out for her and see how it goes.

[Chucky Mama]

If she is really miserable you might need to take her for an exam earlier. Base you decision making on the fact that you are getting close to a weekend. You don't want to be paying out of hours fees

[JS1]

I've got her an appointment for tomorrow morning - earliest I could get. Will let you know...

[Chucky Mama]

Wise move

[JS1]

Got a lovely vet who has three chickens (so understood when I firmly said she was a pet, not livestock). He thought it was either a dislocated hip or neurological damage, possibly caused by some sort of trauma (although there are no visible signs of anything). He examined her very thoroughly and said he thought it was nerve damage and that it could take some time to get better. He said she wasn't giving any pain responses at all, so he didn't think pain relief would do anything, but said to bring her back if she gets worse or doesn't start to get better in three to four weeks. He said he could give an anti-inflammatory jab but would only do so once, so is keeping that up his sleeve for now.

 

She was very good on the journey and submitted to the indignity of being poked and prodded and even turned upside down on the vet's table, bless her. Now she's back in the run with the others happily pecking grass and with food, water and shelter in easy reach.

 

So here's hoping for a fast recovery - thanks for the advice, Rachel; very glad I took her to the vet.

[Chucky Mama]

Sounds like you got a decent exam and good advise. It is sensible not to throw drugs at her without clear justification. At least you know what you are dealing with and that she is not in pain. Fingers crossed for the weeks ahead.

[beatrice]

Very interested to read this post as I've got the same problem with a Goldtop hen (silkie/sussex cross).

 

Started limping about 3-4 months ago but recovered with no limp. Started limping again about 5-6 weeks ago and she can't seem to shake it off. Been to vets, had Metacam injection, vet confirmed it was'nt Mareks, not bumblefoot, could be neurological like your vet.

 

Haven't tried limestone flour but have tried liquid calcium in her drinking water - minimal change.

 

She does move around very gingerly and manages to get up and down a ramp to the house, but most of the time she is sat around reclining on the grass.

 

Will keep a close eye on this post to see if there is any improvement in your hen.

[JS1]

Thanks for posting, Beatrice - will let you know. Wonky is currently lying in her current favourite spot (under my Aunt's old garden chair!) with food and water close by. She's getting about but now has started curling her foot rather than trying to stand on it extended. The vet didn't think it was anything to do with calcium, but I have some limestone flour on order anyway, and have some cod liver oil (could only get capsules so will be squeezing contents on to food!).

Wonky did lay an egg yesterday and the day before but no sign today as yet.

[Egluntyne]

If she is walking on her knuckle, it is a worrying sign tbh. It means that there is some sort of neurological problem going on.

 

I'd speak to the vet again about this symptom.

[Chucky Mama]

Knuckling is not a great sign, she getting worse?

[JS1]

Oh dear, I didn't think she was getting worse - she's quite bright and keen on food etc and getting round quite well. I thought she was just finding ways to adapt. What's it likely to be?

[Chucky Mama]

If she isn't any worse then go with the flow. Keep her rested and keep your fingers crossed. If she is knuckling make sure that she is not able to scuff her food along hard ground as she will skin her toes.

[JS1]

She's on grass and is basically lying down most of the time. I've just been out to see her again and she got up and her foot is definitely clawed, but she still doesn't look that uncomfortable. Do you think it's best to leave her in her house overnight rather than bring her in?

[Chucky Mama]

If she is happy and coping and can get to where she needs to be easily then I would leave her (make sure no one is picking on her while she is under par). Is there a temperature difference between the 2 feet out of interest?

[JS1]

Just been out to check - yes, there is a temp difference. Poorly one hotter. She's definitely not being bullied and still has a spark about her - I had to move the chair she was resting under to check her feet and when it tipped back, a small slug fell off it, which she snapped up with delight. When I put her down, though (very gently) she had to spread her wings to balance and her claw was all bunched up. Poor thing - just wish I could do something.

[Chucky Mama]

will pm you.

[JS1]

Thought I'd update because I see there are a few limping hens out there so thought it might help to share my experience!

Wonky is up and about this morning but still finding moving harder, it seems. I was delighted, however, that she made her own way into the nesting box last night - previous night I'd had to lift her in - but this morning she just stood looking at me as if to say 'I can't get out of the run' so I lifted her over to her favourite spot on the grass and she immediately started nibbling.

I rang the vet yesterday to say she was knuckling her poorly foot and mobility seemed harder for her. He was disappointed as he really thought she'd get better, rather than worse, but is fixing up some painkillers for me and I'm picking them up this morning. Hopefully that will make a difference.

On the plus side, she's eating and drinking (has extra food stations at her fave bit of the garden) and the others aren't bullying her, so here's hoping.

[hippy chick]

I had a hen that was limping one day and then completely lame a few days later. The vet put her on metacam and baytril for a few weeks and she was hospitalised in my conservatory for 7 weeks. I changed her feed to ex-bat pellets and gave her limestone and cod liver oil.

She did however make a full recovery the vet thought that it was a pulled ligament.

Unfortunately she caught a virus a few weeks after getting better and I lost her.

So Please do not give up hope It could take weeks to heal but maybe she will make a good recovery like my Jean did.

[JS1]

I do hope so - thanks for posting. Wonky had her first dose of Metacam yesterday so a bit early to see if there are any effects from it, but fingers crossed.

[JS1]

Wonky is still limping, but is, I think, getting a little better. We no longer have to lift her into/out of the nesting box where she is sleeping, and she's venturing further than her little upside down chair during the day. She's been on Metacam for a week now (I presume I just use the wee bottle - it's tiny - until it's finished) and is now getting limestone flour in her food. No bullying and she's holding her own generally.

Only thing is, I think she's started moulting, because the nesting box (where she's been sleeping) and the run are very feathery. Is that something to worry about or is it just coincidence, do you think?

[Chucky Mama]

I suppose that it is possibly a stress response. There is not an awful lot that you can do about it. Just make sure her nutrition is good - protein particularly. Good to hear that there is some improvement with the leg

[JS1]

Today's Metacam dose to be dispensed on tuna then.....

Thanks:)

[JS1]

Update on Wonky - I think she's starting to get better. She's still limping but has started to weight-bear slightly on poorly side and has stopped moulting. I think she's started laying again too as I'd five eggs out of six yesterday (and lazy Agatha rarely lays), although none of the eggs actually looked like hers! There was unusually wee one, though, so she might be starting small!

She's still more than keeping up with the others and appears to have been enjoying the extra attention.