Used Omlet outdoor rabbit run Width 2.2m Height 2.05m Length 3.1m vgc.

[Woodchick]

Morning

Over the last two weeks I have been integrating two White Stars with my original three omlet girls (now with me 2 and a half years) and it had been going pretty well. Ist week in separate run and last week free-ranging together every day. Still plenty of chasing and some pecking but no blood and they are beginning to get a bit closer together (I think) before reacting. The newbies have been feeding in the cube run and one of them has been laying in the cube nestbox although they still have their own little ark/feeding station. I was looking forward to next week on the basis of other posts that 'peace generally breaks out' around the end of week three. However, this morning one of the newbies bashes her leg on the 'step' of the cube run - in her haste to get out before a madam arrived. She is limping quite badly, won't let me near her, and is now sat down in a corner, Should I let her rest or should I do something? And if so, what! When she was limping about I was concerned she may get chased and make matters worse so was considering separating her anyway but dithered as I wasn't sure what would be best - and then she sat herself down. Advice welcome!

Regards

Sue

[MarkBevBen]

Hiya Sue, oh your poor girl limping

 

We're new to chicken keeping, so I don't know what to suggest other than see if you can run her to the vet for a check over?

 

Hopefully the others will be along to give more advice.

 

We've introduced two new girls to our existing Omlet girl this week and pleased to report everything seems to be going well. They've had a bit of fisticuffs earlier in the week, so I endeavoured to seperate them - at which point they decided they all wanted to be together after all!

[Woodchick]

Thanks MarkBevBen. I have just been outside to observe and she is able to move about and if she was a cat (which I am much more experienced in dealing with) I wouldn't take her to the vet at this stage I would let them be and keep an eye on them. For those who are chicken experts, does that hold good for chickens? My other conumdrum is do I keep her separate (well just with her sister)?

[Egluntyne]

I'd pop her in a cat carrier in the run, so that they are not separate as such, but can still see and hear each other so that she can rest for 24 hours or so, then review tomorrow.

[Chucky Mama]

Rest is as always the best medicine re the limp so let her rest as much as possible. Move food and water close by to prevent her from having to move far for food. It sounds as if she is resting herself so perhaps separate her if the others prevent her from doing so. Going up and down the ladder will not be much fun for her so if you can make it easier somehow I am sure she will appreciate it

[Woodchick]

Thanks everybody. I have been offline in order to move the limping one (plus sister) to a separate space with food, water, shelter etc. They can still see and be seen but it does stop her from being chased and allows her to rest. As suggested, I will leave them till tomorrow and re-evaluate then. Thanks for the advice.

[MarkBevBen]

Hope the rest will do her good and you see an improvement Woodchick

[scarlettohara]

If you are confident nothing is broken, rub some arnica cream on the leg, also rhus tox in the water helps. This is what I have been doing with my new ex-bats and they have stopped limping