It can be worrying to see your chickens limping or laying down more than usual. A chicken that is limping and spending more time resting likely has some type of injury, illness, or condition causing pain or discomfort. By understanding the possible causes, you can take steps to help your flock recover.
Common Causes of Limping and Lethargy in Chickens
Here are some of the most frequent reasons chickens start limping and lying down:
Leg and Foot Injuries
Minor injuries to the feet, legs, or joints are very common in free-ranging chickens. A twisted ankle, bruised foot pad, or strained muscle can make walking painful. Typical causes include:
- Landing awkwardly from roosts
- Getting feet or legs caught in netting or wire
- Stepping on sharp objects like glass or nails
In most cases these minor injuries will heal with rest anti-inflammatory medication, or wrapping/splinting. Check for any cuts, swelling, or visible damage.
Bumblefoot
This bacterial infection of the foot causes a painful lump or abscess on the bottom of the foot. It makes standing very difficult. Look for a black scab-like lesion on the foot pad. Treating early with soaking, draining the sore, and antibiotics improves recovery.
Sprains, Fractures, and Dislocations
Trauma from flying or jumping can lead to more serious orthopedic injuries in chickens. Signs include limping, swelling, reluctance to bear weight, or an oddly angled limb These require veterinary treatment, splinting, and significant rest
Scaly Leg Mites
Microscopic mites that burrow into the scales on chickens’ legs and feet can cause severe irritation, inflammation, and discomfort. Thickened, crusty-looking legs and abnormal gait are typical symptoms. Oil treatments smother mites, and antibiotics may also be prescribed.
Arthritis
Especially in older chickens, arthritis can make movement stiff and painful. Swollen joints, difficulty perching, and lameness are common signs. Anti-inflammatory medication and joint supplements can help manage arthritis.
Marek’s Disease
This contagious viral disease affects nerves and causes progressive paralysis in chickens. Affected birds often lie down with legs splayed in a “split” position. There is no cure, but vaccination prevents Marek’s disease.
Egg Binding
When a hen has trouble passing an egg, it puts pressure on internal organs and makes walking very difficult. Straining, sitting, and reluctance to move are typical. Treating with fluids, warming the hen, and lubricating the vent can help expel the stuck egg.
Nutritional Deficiencies
Insufficient vitamins and minerals, especially vitamin B2 (riboflavin), can cause leg weakness and reluctance to stand. Adding nutritional supplements, poultry vitamins, and improving their diet supports recovery.
What to Do if Your Chicken is Limping and Lying Down
If you notice a chicken limping, acting lethargic, or spending more time sitting, take action right away:
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Isolate the Chicken – Keep them separated from the flock to prevent bullying and allow rest. Set up a secure, comfy recovery area.
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Inspect for Injury – Check feet, legs, and joints for any visible injury, heat, swelling or damage. Compare to their other leg.
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Provide Supportive Care – Based on suspected cause, offer appropriate care like foot soaks, wraps, nutritional support, etc.
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Consider Veterinary Help – If limping persists more than several days or you suspect fracture, infection, or Marek’s disease, consult an avian vet.
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Improve Recovery Conditions – Ensure soft, clean bedding, nutritional support, and minimal stress during convalescence. Monitor closely.
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Review Prevention – Once recovered, look for ways to prevent future injuries by adding ramps, rotating terrain, checking for sharp objects, etc.
With attentive care and prompt treatment, most chickens will make a full recovery from lameness. Know the common culprits, act quickly at the first signs, and work diligently to make the chicken feel comfortable while healing. Your devoted flock-care will have your chicken up and scratching again in no time!
A pale pink comb
A normal, healthy chicken should have a bright red comb. If the comb is a pale pink it could be a sign of anemia. Anemia can be caused by a parasite infestation like mites, lice, worms. To check for external parasites like mites and lice, part the feathers in several places and look carefully at the chicken’s skin for tiny creepy crawlies.
Mites look like tiny, almost translucent red fleas and can often be found under their wings. Lice look like very tiny grains of rice and they lay their eggs at the feather shafts. Both can often be seen near the chicken’s vent. Other common side effects of external parasites include feather picking or bald spots, dirty looking or dull feathers, lethargy and loss of appetite. Click here to read more about mites & lice. If one chicken has external parasites, it’s a good bet the whole flock has them. Totally empty and clean the coop, sprinkle food grade Diatomaceous Earth in all the corners before refilling with shavings. Dust the chickens with DE or treat them with topical medications like Ivomec Eprinex or Elector PSP.
A pale comb could also indicate internal parasites (worms). Common side effects of worms include very loose, watery droppings (sometimes the worms or worm casings can be seen in the droppings). The chicken might also have an increase in appetite but with weight loss. Just like with internal parasites, if one chicken has worms, you should worm the entire flock & disinfect their coop. There are several different kind of worms chickens can get and unfortunately there is not an all inclusive wormer available. A fecal test by your vet (or an at home pet fecal test kit) can help identify the type of worms your flock has and recommend the appropriate treatment. click here to read more about worms & chickens
Molting can also cause a pale comb. If there are feathers everywhere that is likely the cause. Click here to read more about molting
Check out her comb & wattles
Dehydration can cause a normally erect comb to flop over. Make sure she has access to plenty of fresh cool water. If it is warm out, a pale comb could indicate heat exhaustion. Try filling a shallow pan with cold water and stand the chicken in it (don’t submerge her, it could be too great a shock). Give her plenty of fresh, cool water and offer some chilled watermelon as a snack.
A Limping Hen? How to Handle a Dislocated Leg Situation!
FAQ
How to help a chicken that is limping?
– Reduce stress and prevent bullying from other chickens. – Provide a low roost or soft bedding for her to rest on. – Apply a warm compress or soak her foot in warm water with Epsom salts to reduce swelling and pain. – Wrap her foot and leg with gauze and vet wrap to protect and support them.
Why is my chick limping and laying down?
It’s possible that your baby chick is experiencing a leg or foot problem, which could be caused by a number of factors such as a genetic defect, injury, or infection. Some common issues include splayed legs, which is a condition where the chick’s legs are unable to support its weight properly, or a sprain or strain.
What are two signs of unhealthy chickens?
- Posture changes (Fluffed up, necks tucked in, body appears more compact drooping wings, tail tucked down)
- Backends caked with droppings.
- Chickens who aren’t active, stay hidden or away from the group, or move around slowly.
- Red or inflamed skin
- Loss of feathers (not including the fall molt)
Can worms cause a chicken to limp?
If lameness occurs in an established flock, it may be caused by worms, scaly leg mite infestations, bumblefoot or untrimmed toenails, so give any hens who are …Dec 13, 2023
How do you know if a chicken is limping?
If you notice that your chicken is limping, take a close look at its legs and toes. If you see any strings wrapped around them, carefully remove the strings and dispose of them properly. You may need to treat the rest of the area for infection, if there is one.
Why is my chicken limping?
Bumblefoot is the most likely cause of a limping chicken. When one of my chickens is limping, the first thing I check for is bumblefoot. Bumblefoot is a Staphylococcus (Staph) infection that usually starts on the bottom of a chicken’s foot. Staph bacteria are commonplace; they only become problematic if they get inside an animal’s body.
Why does my chicken jump off the roost?
Stiffness or Sprain From Jumping Off the Roost If you notice your chicken is limping, it could be due to stiffness or a sprain from jumping off the roost. A roost is typically a few feet off the ground. Chickens jump down in the morning to start their day.
What should I do if my chicken is limping?
If you notice your chicken is limping and has any cuts or scratches, make sure to clean the wound with soap and water. You may also need to apply an antibiotic ointment to help prevent infection. In severe cases, your chicken may need to see a vet, too. 2. Stiffness or Sprain From Jumping Off the Roost
Why are my chicken legs lame?
All these factors contribute to making your chicken lame. Treatment is simple, coat the legs in petroleum jelly or something similar. This is to suffocate the mites and allow the healing process to start. Alternately, a soak in warm water and Epsom salt can help to reduce irritation and kill mites at the same time.
Why is my flock limping?
A limp from pain or necrosis of tissue will be present early on, of course. Typically caused by unsanitary conditions, the best way to prevent it is by keeping your flock’s environment clean. If you do have an outbreak, the good news is that it is treatable with a course of antibiotics.