A blimp flew over my house today, while the girls were out playing. They were so scared the were running around crashing into things, trying to get away from the giant chicken eating monster. So now Schnitzel is limping. I felt her legs, and couldn't find anything worth noting, but she is definitely limping on her left leg. Should I be concerned? Any words of wisdom? I feel so bad. She is such a good chicken.
Thanks for the help, Myrrh
Chicken terror leads to limping chicken - should I worry?
I would give her a day or two to recover--at least with my dogs it takes that long to recover from a strain.
And then notifiy the blimp people that there will be no more fly-overs tolerated....they are scaring the chickens!:0)
I hope Schnitzel is okay! I imagine they get bruised just like we do. Poor baby..
Did you look on the bottom of her foot? Did she maybe get a splinter or thorn or something? I had a limper and she had a bottom of foot problem. Just an idea.
I did check her feet, but there was no problem there. I think she just crashed into something. I hope it is just a bruise. She is my best chicken friend.
I can't believe the blimp people would be so disrespectful. I mean, don't they know there a chickens out there! I'll cross my fingers and hope for the best.
Thanks everyone!
Those blimp people have some nerve! Around here we have a lot of hot air balloon people. Well, actually we have a lot of hot air people too. I don't think my chickens have seen a balloon yet. Oh dear....will have to keep this in mind!
How's Schnitzel?
She's still limping a bit, but seems to be moving around ok. It's most noticeable when she runs for a tomato treat, and then she has a sort of rolling gate. I will flip her over this evening to clean up tail feathers a bit, and will try to feel her over again then. I gave her a serious talking to this morning and told her she need to be ok. There aren't really any other options for Schnitzel, my best chicken friend.
myrrh,
A limping chicken will usually stop limping within a few days to a week usually. I've had one here limping for almost 2 months. She's a Game Fowl hen with guinea keets at her side ... she got chewed up by a coyote ... not run into a fence by a blimp. Limping chickens usually recover real fast within a week. Mine has been limping for so long I renamed her Chester. She's pretty much over the limping. Winter is coming and she did a wonderful job of raising her guinea keets ... all things considered ... 3 out of 5 have made it to 4 months old ... one drowned due to my inattentiveness and a coyote got the other. She's a much better mother than the Guinea Hen with 4 who is down to 2. I should take credit for their untimely demise since I haven't trapped predators as much as I should have.
Kelly in Moxee
She seems to be quite a bit worse tonight. I felt all over her legs and couldn't find anything that seemed particularly painful or swollen. Should I try to keep her from moving around, or should I encourage her to "walk it off"? The others don't seem to be picking on her particularly, but she seems to be in a fair bit of pain. Suggestions?
myrrh,
Keep her well fed and allow her all the normal freedom to walk about. She'll be better in a few days. I can almost guarantee it.
Kelly in Moxee
Thanks, I sure hope so.
I wonder why she would seem better, then get worse? There are avian vets who might be willing to see her if she doesn't improve. I took my dove, Bob, to one in Stockton and there was one in Moraga I use to take my Budgie to. Most vets won't look at birds--but they always seem to know a vet who specializes in unusuals pet and/or birds. Maybe call a local vet and find out?
But I hope she gets back on the road to recovery without it. It seems like she should.
Thanks! If she still looks bad tonight I'll ask around at the vets office on Teusday.
Yay! I found a vet in San Francisco who treats chickens. They even have pics of two chicken patients on their website. I may give them a call if things don't improve soon, but regardless it is nice to know of a chicken doctor.
Wonderful! Only in San Francisco!