this weekend i had the most unfortunate experience of coming home to find my hen odd-jobs not using her right leg. i've only had this bird for a few months - i was told that she is older, perhaps six years old. she was being looked after while i was away, and my friend insisted she was fine throughout the time i was gone. yesterday morning i took her to the vet, where the vet told me her hip was out of joint, and that this is somewhat normal for hens, but that usually they can pop them back in themselves. however he reset the hip, and it would not remain in its socket. we then took some xrays.
the top of the right leg, where it should normally curve inward and rest in the socket, was gone. there were no bone fragments floating about, just a leg bone with no top. the vet, an avian specialist who sees lots of chickens, suspects that it's cancer or some fungal infection, either of which she would have had for a long time. he wanted to take a biopsy of the bone which i wouldn't agree to as it's painful and doesn't really seem to matter as it didn't affect his plan of action with regards to treatment .... my options were euthanasia or a prescription of painkillers and keep her comfortable until she's no longer, well, comfortable. i spent all day yesterday weeping - i had some idea that chickens were relatively low maintenance, but in actuality they seem to get into trouble constantly. this aside, here are some questions for anyone who may have experience with handicap chickens....
has anyone ever had a similar experience? is a second opinion recommended? are xrays tough to capture accurately with chickens? we took two views...
i also noticed a post here from someone with a one legged chicken - my vet told me it's not possible for chickens to do well with only one leg, it gives me a little hope to find someone who's had some success...
i guess i'm just looking for some opinions on this matter. thanks and i hope everyone's chickens are good. M
