My Chicken Is Limping – What Do I Do?

I went out to the coop one morning, and one of my chickens was limping. She wasn’t walking right. She’d take a step, then stop. That’s when I knew something was wrong. If your chicken is limping, don’t panic. I’ll walk you through what I did, step by step.

🐔 First, Catch the Chicken

You can’t help a chicken if you can’t catch her. Gently scoop her up and hold her close so she feels safe.

👀 Look at the Foot

Start with the foot and work your way up.

• Is something stuck? Sometimes a small rock, thorn, or piece of string gets wrapped around her toes.
• Check for cuts or swelling. Look between the toes, on the bottom, and around the nails.

🦶 Is It Bumblefoot?

Bumblefoot is an infection. You’ll see a black scab on the bottom of her foot, and it might be swollen.

• If it looks like this, she needs help fast.
• You may need to soak the foot and remove the scab, or take her to the vet.

🦴 Did She Hurt Her Leg?

Chickens sometimes jump from a roost that’s too high and hurt a leg.

• Gently feel the leg. Does she squawk or pull away when you touch it?
• If it’s broken, she’ll need a splint and time to heal. Some folks take chickens to the vet; others use simple splints made of popsicle sticks and gauze.

🐛 Could It Be Mites?

Mites bite their legs and feet, making them itch and hurt.

• Look for red, scaly skin or tiny bugs.
• If you see signs, treat with mite powder or give her a dust bath.

🧠 Maybe It’s a Stroke or Nerve Problem

Sometimes the limp isn’t from the leg—it’s from inside.

• If one side of her body isn’t working right, she might have had a stroke or brain issue.
• Sadly, this is harder to fix, but she might still get around fine.

🥬 Check for Vitamin Deficiencies

Limping can come from not enough Vitamin B (especially B2).

• Try adding poultry vitamins or some scrambled eggs to her food.
• Make sure she has a healthy diet with greens and protein.

🏠 Separate Her if Needed

If she’s being bullied or getting worse, give her her own space to rest.

• Use a crate with food, water, and straw.
• Let her rest for a few days and see if she improves.

✅ Keep Watching Her

Limping isn’t always an emergency, but you do need to keep an eye on her. Some chickens bounce back in a day or two. Others need a little more TLC. If you’re ever unsure, a farm vet can help you out.

🧺 My Chicken’s Limping Checklist

• Catch and hold her gently
• Check the foot for stuck things or cuts
• Look for signs of bumblefoot
• Gently feel the leg for injury
• Check for mites or scaly legs
• Watch for signs of stroke or weakness
• Add vitamins or healthy snacks
• Give her rest time if needed

That’s what I do when a chicken starts limping. It’s not always scary, and most times, they recover just fine. Keep calm, act quickly, and your chicken will thank you.

Reference:

https://ourwayoflife.co.nz/5-reasons-your-chicken-may-be-limping

https://www.bhwt.org.uk/blog/health-welfare/hen-leg-health