Dear All,
I'm new to Pet Forum, and would like some advice re my 3 year old silkie bantam. She has developed a limp. Her foot looks clean, no sores, but she has developed a bad limp this week. She can't put any weight on the leg. She is otherwise healthy, eating well, laying daily, getting out into the garden, but not able to scratch about as normal. She was fine after coming round from being broody, so I don't think it's related to that. Has anyone dealt with aanything similar, or would I need to take her to the vet?

It depends on wether this is a pet chook or just another one of your layers as to wether you want to fork out going to a vet, you could always give them a ring for some advice, more than likely they won't have a clue!, but if she is very bad she may have broken/dislocated it and need it splinting, if it's possible, and lots of confinement to let her rest it.

If it were mine I would have a good feel of the leg and if I'm happy it's not broken or dislocated then I would confine to a small cage with food and water for 3 weeks so she can just sit and rest it.
I've had them go lame plenty of times before - it's usually the hens have been jumped on awkwardly by the cockerel who is usually larger and heavier, or with the larger breeds they do tend to go off their legs when they get old - my big orpington x cockerel went lame a couple of months ago and didn't respond to box rest so unfortunatly I had to give him the golden handshake, which unfortunatly is the case with most serious lameness, some do come round and it's just a strain and are fine.

Birds heal quickly so if you don't see any improvement within 3 or 4 weeks I'd call it a day - chooks can't manage on one leg and will quickly go lame on the other if left, make sure she has soft bedding to sit on - no perch - they can get pressure sores on their keel bone if on a hard surface - deep wood shavings or straw are ideal in a dog crate or something similar, good luck I hope she gets better!

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Thanks for replying.
She is one of 3 pet bantams. Spoke to our local pet shop, who are very helpful, and they said something on the same lines as yourself. I will confine her to the coop and hopefully she will rest up. I'm beginning to think she has pulled or banged it, rather than it being broken or dislocated. She is able to move toes etc, but isn't putting any weight on the leg. Not stopping her eating though!!
Kind regards