Expert: Abi - 1/29/2009

Question
I have a Rhode Island Red hen that is 1 year old.  I found her laying on the ground right outside the coop and tried to shoo her in, but she couldn't walk.  She had a little blood on her foot but I couldn't find the source of it other than a couple of the "scales" on her foot were gone.  We brought her in and put her in a small cage (she can lay down and has easy access to food/water without getting up).  I noticed today that she can move her leg at the hip, but her foot doesn't seem to hold her (not sure if she can't feel anything or it's just too tender).  She lets me touch it and  move her leg/foot.  She also seems to be a bit green between the toes on the foot that was injured.  Any advice on what else we can do to help her or what the problem is would be appreciated?

Answer
Make sure you can bend her foot and toes so you know there isn't any breakage. Is there any smell to it? If so it is probably infected and will need bathing in a warm salt water solution twice a day, and she will need to be kept on fresh, clean soft bedding such as woodshavings.
I can't tell you what is wrong with her as I haven't seen her but I would recommend keeping it very clean and giving her a little bit of room to move around and encouraging her to get up and walk around.

Thanks for your question.