Eglu Cube Coop and Accessories

[catriona]

Hello,

Our little chicken Donna suddenly started limping quite badly yesterday. She was fine all day, but when we went to shut her in in the evening we noticed she could barely put weight on her left foot.

 

Today, she is just the same and we've kept her shut in the run to limit her walking around, while her friend is out free-ranging.We've examined the foot, and can't see any Bumblefoot or splinters/lodged dirt.

 

I'm wondering, since it came on so suddenly, if she jumped off something, landed badly and sprained it. Any recommendations if so? I've read about arnica being used, but if the injury is further up the leg (under the feathers) is there any way of telling where the problem is? Can it heal by itself? When we got the girls, her friend CJ was a bit under-the weather and had a dodgy leg & wing, which healed on their own in time, but this limp looks worse.

 

Thanks!

 

CJ & Donna in the Eglu

new arrival, baby George

[good_egg]

If she has bruised or sprained it you might be able to tell where by feeling down the leg for areas that are hotter (or where she is more tender). If its still bad, or gets worse, might be worth trip to the vet to check cause and maybe get some painkillers and anti-inflammatories.

[Mrs_B]

I agree with everything good_egg has said.

 

I just wanted to add that my White Star recently sprained her leg when she flew out of my arms and landed oddly when I was going to pop her back on the ground. She was really struggling to walk/scratch on her right leg. I took her to the vets and she had painkiller/anti-inflammatory and gradually her leg got better over several days. It always looked worse first thing in the morning - maybe it got stiff when she was sleeping, but after moving it during the morning it was easier for her to stand on.

 

Try not to worry, I was horrified when I thought I broke her leg! Hope your girl feels better soon

 

x

[catriona]

Thanks both for your help!

 

She is still limping on it but she got quite a lot of rest yesterday, spending more time than normal sitting down in the run. Encouragingly she is still able to hop in and out of the eglu house into the run which is quite a bit of a step. I am hoping she'll have another restful day today, and if there's no improvement by tomorrow we'll try the vet to be safe! She is still eating, drinking and laying, other than the leg she seems perfectly happy.

Thanks very much!

[catriona]

Just thought I'd update you, little Donna is fullly recovered now.

After a few days of arnica, being kept ito the run, and sitting down and resting, there was a vast improvement so we didn't go to the vet. After about a week she was walking round the garden fairly easily, and now she is running about at her normal speed!

[good_egg]

Glad to hear she is better.