[Moleskins]

I've got a hen that's acquired a serious limp, had a look and no sign of blood or injury. Not hot compared to other leg, she's a light Sussex just over a year old. Any thoughts?

[jaykay]

Too much attention from the cockerel?
That horrid thing that's like Mareks but only gets the odd bird? (its name I forget)
Bumblefoot?

[Moleskins]

Tried to be concise with info in my post, forgot to say I don't have a cockerel just hens.

[chrismahon]

Bumblefoot, an infection in the pad, is a possibility moleskins. Caused by impact damage when perches are too high or sharp object on the ground. Alternatively a hip injury which may well correct itself. We have an Orpington who limped for 6 weeks after trying to jump off the perch and get out of the pop-hole in one go. That was 4 years ago.

[hughesy]

We've got a cockerel here that's had similar. I thought he'd broken a bone to start with and was going to cull him but on inspection we couldn't find any obvious injury. It wasn't affecting him feeding and he was still working the ladies, albeit with difficulty, so we kept an eye on him and he gradually got better and after about a month was good as new.

[Moleskins]

Thank you for the replies, no sign of anything on the foot. I'll just have to give it a bit of time to see if it improves.

[HesterF]

I had a limping duck last week. The vet was out here the next day for something else so I asked him to have a look when he came out. Ironically by then she was loads better. The only thing he could see was a little sore which he said to keep an eye on it in case it was the start of bumblefoot. Apparently if you catch foot injuries early, they can be treated with antibiotics before the infection spreads to the bone when it becomes permanent bumblefoot. Anyhow, she was fine by the day after that (or appeared to be - I didn't catch her again because that just stresses her more) so fingers crossed yours is a short lived injury.

H

[Moleskins]

I can't see anything on this hens feet and the temp of both legs feels the same. The limp is worsening and she seems to 'swing' the leg out as she walks. Saying that, today she was in the henhouse not out with all the others. When I took her out she just stood there pretty much immobile. I'm assuming I'll have to cull her if she can't walk about to eat and drink easily.
I've got an air pistol, one shot to the head? Would this be a. easiest and b. quick and as painless as poss?

[HesterF]

She's only a year old - isn't it worth checking to see if it's an easy fix with the vet? And personally I'm going to learn how to dispatch through neck dislocation but that's partly because I have no fire arms.

H

[chrismahon]

Hi Moleskins. Sorry to hear she is getting worse. Is there anything in her environment that is aggravating her condition? Can you keep her in sight of the others but separate for a while?


Your air pistol may not have enough power on a year old hen so you could end up causing more suffering. You would need an air rifle I think. Neck dislocation will have to be your method.

[Moleskins]

I was going to use the air pistol at point blank range to the head. I once had problems 'pulling' a ducks neck to kill it so was a bit wary of that method also with pigeons the head comes off all together in some cases. Hence my thoughts of the lead method. Leg is now just being dragged but she's feeding and drinking so it's a bit of a shame, just can't see anything wrong. Vets bills that come to more than any animal is worth just don't make sense to me.