My chick's leg drags, is stiff, and she's not growing. What's wrong?

Question

I was at the feeder store and was offered this barred rock chick pullet for free because it had trouble walking. I am not an expert on chickens or anything so I could be totally wrong but it seems to me that it has a birth defect or a dislocated hip. But i am not really sure at all. It is now 2 months old and does not seem to be growing at all, i think because it is not eating enough. The leg just drags behind her, and the joints became really stiff. Pet's info: Bird | Unknown - Bird | Female | 2 months and 16 days old

Bobbi Musgrove, DVM · Accepted Answer

Sadly, I think that either this defect happened before Janice hatched or there could have been trauma or infection that has affected the joint of this leg. There is some redness I can see that makes me concerned that we do have infection in the joint now. Ideally I would take Janice to a veterinarian comfortable with poultry medicine to see if there are feasible treatment options. If not, you may have to consider humane euthanasia, particularly since she is not growing well. I'm sorry!

My chick's leg drags, is stiff, and she's not growing. What's wrong?

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