Smart Feeder - Light sensor values

[Millie-Annie]

I have posted on here several times about my wonderful Marigold and the frog and mouse eating exploits. She is a complete nutcase and I love her to bits. She is in rude health, beautiful red comb and wattles, a nice weight and usually fit as a fiddle.

 

Today she is limping. I have tried to look but she gets all flappy and struggles and I am worried that will make it worse. She is moulting so looks a bit sorry for herself. I have given her some toast and marmite and she is eating and I have confined her to her small run, so she might rest, but can I do anymore?

 

I presume she has tried to get somewhere she shouldn't whilst free ranging or has climbed something and either fallen or got her leg trapped and pulled it. I am loathe to rush to the vets, so will hang on as it isn't life threatening, but any suggestions gratefully received.

[Plum]

Probably something like that but you really need to have a good look in case there's a break or infection.

 

I would pick her up while she's roosting and she'll be a lot calmer. Then feel down her good leg around all the joints then the one she's limping on and see if there are any differences. Check the pads of her feet and between her toes for lesions, boils, foreign bodies etc. Good luck, wrapping in a towel may help.

 

If nothing I think you can afford to confine and watch as you are.

[chuckmum6]

Sage was limping on Tuesday, having been fine the day before. I caught her and confined her to my spare ark, I also put a heat pad in the nest box, she went back in with the others yesterday night and was zooming around today without trouble. I couldn't feel anything wrong, her feet were the same temperature and had no obvious swelling, so the only course was inforced rest, if she was still limping then a trip to the vets would have been in order, phew thank goodness she's better. I hope Marigold is better too!

[Plum]

Hope so lots of things can make them limp.

[Millie-Annie]

Thank you for your replies. I brought her in and sat her on my lap and had a good feel. Her feet are fine, no swellings, no cuts. Both feet react the same e.g. the claws pull in. Both legs are warm and no obvious cuts or swellings.

 

I rang my chicken vet and he said hip injuries are very common as chickens hip joints are very loose. If they get their foot stuck, they panic and twist around, which can result in torn ligaments etc. He said there is nothing to be given sadly, so just keep her confined more, and she should be fine. He said it can take up to 3 weeks to heal, so unless she gets much worse, not to worry and watch and wait.

 

I have put vet bed in their bed to keep them warm and she has had corn and rice with marmite for tea.

 

They hate being confined Tallulah (foghorn leghorn chicken) screams for freedom all day, you wouldn't want to be my neighbour.

[Plum]

Reassuring to hear it from an expert. You better keep your ear muffs on then.

 

Wishing her lots of omletty healing thoughts.