ashimar Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 Hello fellow omleteers, I was just wondering if anyone could offer some advice for my beautiful Black rock Matilda. She began with a limp a week ago. I examined her and could feel no break or see any cuts or swelling and felt that she just needed to rest it. This she did and the next day appeared much better. We thought she was on the mend but over the last 48 hours the limp has become much worse and although she is still able to move around and even stand on one leg (she can do this on both sides) it is more pronounced. She also appears to have incredibly 'poopy' feathers. They have recently been wormed and I dust mite and louse powder regularly. Up until this point she has been really healthy and in fact after a long moult in November was looking absolutley luxurios with her new feathers. I'm not sure what else to do for her. She lives with another two hens (one black rock and one lohmann) and they have been together a long time and are very friendly towards each other, in fact Donna (the lohmann) is being very motherly towards Matilda (who was the top hen) and seems to be trying to look after her. I'm not sure what to do for the best as our local vets are useless with poultry! I don't think my husband can take any more chicken upset. We lost one over christmas for no apparent reason and had to despatch another last week as she turned out to be a he!! Any thoughts welcome, thanks Anne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 She may have 'poopy' feathers as a result of sitting it it as finding it more difficult getting up with her bad leg. I would have a word with your vet and see whether they could put her on a course of Metacam which is an anti inflammatory drug used in dogs. I had one 100% lame who was sound after a 10 day course. They would have to see your chicken to prescribe it and it is important that they check that there is nothing untoward going on with the limb (e.g a break). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 Chuky Mama's adivce sounds eggcellent. I never knew you could use Matacam for chooks. It's good to know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ashimar Posted February 1, 2011 Author Share Posted February 1, 2011 Thanks for that, I shall ring the vet in the morning. I wondered the same about her feathers as she is sitting down for most of the day. Anne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 Chuky Mama's adivce sounds eggcellent. I never knew you could use Matacam for chooks. It's good to know. The correct dose is crucial so always make sure that the dose is properly calculated and prescribed by a vet as over dosage can cause nasty complications. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
