Unsecure chicken perches

[dixie chick]

Mrs Moss is my gorgeous cuddly Buff Orpington. I have always thought she had a bit of a lopsided gait but now she has a definite and pronounced limp. When she runs - she sort of hippity- hop-gallopy-skips along so as not to put weight on her bad leg. I picked her up today to have a look in case there was a cut or something but all looked ok....She is such a lovely girl and looks healthy in every other way - Does anyone have any idea of what might be wrong with her?

[Plum]

Guess you've ruled out bumblefoot if there is no swelling or heat. I would feel both legs and compare them particularly at the joints for heat and swelling

[dixie chick]

The poorly leg is actually quite warm compared to the other one.

So you think it could be Bumblefoot? Does this mean a visit to a vet or is there anything I could do?

Our vet does not cater for chickens so I would have to find one that does ....

[Chucky Mama]

If it feels hot you really need to see a vet as there may be some sort of infection and antibiotics may be required.

[Luvachicken]

I have not heard of Bumblefoot - please could you tell me what it is ?

 

Matilda has had a limp before which went away and she has just got over another limp which I treated with a warm salt water bath and purple spray which seemed to work but now I am worried about this Bumblefoot.

[Plum]

Bumblefoot is an abcess in the foot which swells. It can be treated by draining and flushing out and keeping it clean but the easier quicker way is vet and antibiotics.

Heat can also be a sign of inflamation so if she has had an injury like a sprain or strain it can show as limp or heat. Can be any joint so ankle elbow or hip (is that what you call a chickens joints). Metacam is an anti inflammatory that a vet may give to calm it down

I think someone else has mentioned arnica.

[Luvachicken]

Thanks Plum, there were no swellings on Matilda so I guess she just strained something - she seems fine now.

[Plum]

Phew. Glad she's ok

[dixie chick]

The arnica did the trick. After carefully examining her foot we ruled out bumblefoot and figured she must have just strained her leg somehow - Orpingtons are not the most agile birds and she probably got awkwardly off her roost ...