Disclaimer: I am NOT a veterinarian, just an animal owner & lover sharing my opinions and experiences. What do you think about taking care of animals or diagnosing Whenever possible, you should always have your sick or injured bird evaluated & treated by a trained professional.
Eventually, it will happen to every chicken owner. When you go outside to the chicken coop in the morning, you’ll notice that someone isn’t coming out. Or if they do, they’ll just stand in the corner and watch the other chickens.
Some diagnoses are easy – if your chicken is limping you would look for a leg or foot problem. Most times the clues that your chicken is sick will be very subtle. Chickens are the ultimate prey animal. Everyone loves a good chicken dinner! Because of this, over past several thousand years chickens have become excellent at hiding weakness (did you know chickens have been domesticated for at least 5,000 years, and possibly up to 8,000 years?). As a chicken owner you should spend a little time every day observing their behaviors so you can catch any changes early.
This isn’t an all inclusive of everything that can go wrong with a chicken, but will cover many of the most common ailments. What should you do when you find something amiss? Grab your chicken first aid kit and we’ll try to get to the bottom of this (want to check out what is in my first aid kit? click here to read about it) You can see the chicken by the bush is not foraging and has seperated herself. Her tail is down and she just isn’t acting normal.
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
Chickens that are free to roam often get small injuries to their feet, legs, or joints. If you have a sprained ankle, a bruised foot pad, or a muscle strain, walking can be 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
When this bacteria gets into the foot, it makes the bottom of the foot hurt with a lump or abscess. It makes standing very difficult. Look for a black scab-like lesion on the foot pad. Early treatment with antibiotics, soaking, and draining the sore speeds up the healing process.
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 see a chicken limping, acting tired, or sitting around a lot, you need to act right away:
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Isolate the chicken—Keep it away from the other chickens to keep it from being bullied and to give it time to 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. Before putting shavings back in, sprinkle food-grade Diatomaceous Earth in all the corners. 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. It’s not possible to get rid of all the worms that chickens can get because there isn’t a product that does that. A feces test from your vet or a home pet feces test kit can help you figure out what kind of worms your flock has and how to treat them. 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. – To reduce pain and swelling, put a warm pack on her foot or soak it in warm water with Epsom salts. – 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 problems are splayed legs, which means the chick’s legs can’t support its weight properly, and sprains and strains.
What are two signs of unhealthy chickens?
Things to Watch ForPosture 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 skinLoss of feathers (not including the fall molt).
Can worms cause a chicken to limp?
If a flock of hens becomes lame, it could be due to worms, scaly leg mites, bumblefoot, or toenails that haven’t been trimmed, so give any hens who are
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.