Limping hen

[Tomatoking]

We noticed two days ago that one of our hens was limping a bit and standing on one leg, when she ran, she hopped! The following day, she seemed to be better and hardly limping at all, but again this morning she's limping again. I haven't been able to catch her as yet and don't want to upset her or injure her any more by chasing her around. She's still eating, drinking and laying OK. Can't see any obvious signs of injury. Anyone got any suggestions?

[Suechooks]

Has she strained it jumping off the perch?
Could be anything really. You need to examine it for heat, swelling, cuts, splinters, lumps and bumps. Is she in pain? Is she generally well? Is she mixing with others and scratching around ok?

[tlck9]

Have you checked the length of her nails?

My friends had grown long and one of hers was struggling a little

[Tomatoking]

Thanks for the replies so far, she seems to be perfectly well, still scratching around and mixing with the others. We did think she may have strained herself, we will try and catch her and check her foot and nails. She is only about 6 months old, how often do the nails need checking?

[di]

If you're really struggling to catch her & you think it can wait til this evening,a flighty chook is a lot easier to manage once roosting!

Hope you work out what it is...maybe stood on something?

[Tomatoking]

I have just caught Delia and examined her foot. The pad seems very slightly swollen compared to her other foot, and it is slghtly warmer.

[RichmondHens]

Chickens with adequate room don't need anything doing to their nails! They will wear them down naturally roaming around and scratching about.

She may have strained it jumping off the perch, if she's a heavy bird, or she may have the beginnings of an infection from possibly a small puncture wound that has now healed over and trapped dirt inside. I would wait and see how she goes. It may resolve itself.