Another issue with my Buff orp

Hey everyone!

One of my 3 year old buff orp hens has injured herself yet again. She has always been on the weaker/clumsy side. A couple years ago she got frostbite in her left foot real bad. She recovered but has always had a little limp. Just last week, she fell off a high roost and injured that same leg again. It's been almost 10 days and she still can't walk without stumbling. She can stand but won't put her full weight on her one leg. After talking with the member @TwoCrows , it sounds like her foot joint is what's injured. (Nothing's broken.) It was swelling and hot. I soaked her feet in ice cold water for a couple days. I've made sure she is confined so she doesn't overdo/re-injure herself. This afternoon, I took the flock some treats and she stood up on her own. She took a couple steps but soon collapsed again. When she walks, she puffs up like a broody hen would. The good news is, the swelling has gone down and at least she can hobble around. Is there anything else I can do for her?? I'm praying she doesn't go lame for the rest of her days.

Any insight or advice is appreciated!

Leg injuries can take a long time to heal, she could have a small fracture or chipped bone, time, good luck.

oldhenlikesdogs said:

Leg injuries can take a long time to heal, she could have a small fracture or chipped bone, time, good luck.

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X2 Sprains and strains can take 6 or more weeks to heal. A fracture might take months. I would keep her confined for much of the day with water and food nearby and let her out only for a bit each day. When you do let her out, keep her in an area where there is nothing to trip over, fall into or even to jump on.

Give it time Sarah. I know it is hard to watch Gracie ailing. She may heal over time. Keep up with the aspirin, the ice baths, ACV in the water for inflammation.

You might try wrapping her foot with vet wrap, similar to wearing an ACE bandage on your own knee or ankle. It might help support her foot joint. If you need help with the wrapping, PM me and I will go through it with you.

oldhenlikesdogs said:

Leg injuries can take a long time to heal, she could have a small fracture or chipped bone, time, good luck.

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TwoCrows said:

X2 Sprains and strains can take 6 or more weeks to heal. A fracture might take months. I would keep her confined for much of the day with water and food nearby and let her out only for a bit each day. When you do let her out, keep her in an area where there is nothing to trip over, fall into or even to jump on.

Give it time Sarah. I know it is hard to watch Gracie ailing.

She may heal over time. Keep up with the aspirin, the ice baths, ACV in the water for inflammation.

You might try wrapping her foot with vet wrap, similar to wearing an ACE bandage on your own knee or ankle. It might help support her foot joint. If you need help with the wrapping, PM me and I will go through it with you.

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Thank you both! I'm just so impatient and ready for her to get back on her feet again I guess.

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I gave her a bunch of herbs this afternoon that will help with blood circulation, healing and calming her down.

Sorry to hear your hen injured herself again! Having a hen under the weather is always stressful. Is sounds like you are doing everything you can for her. Keep us posted, and hopefully she will be better in a few days.

Update: On Tuesday and Wednesday, Gracie was doing very well. She was active, perky and walking a bit. However, today she hadn't moved a muscle until I finally picked her up and moved her outside. I gave her an ice foot bath yesterday. I tried to give her aspirin this afternoon but she refused it. (I'll put it in some food later.) My mom and I wrapped her foot this afternoon too. She is able to move a bit more with it, thankfully. She just seems to be in a lot of pain. Her joint is still somewhat swollen.

Also, I've thought she might have arthritis. What about gout? Could she possibly have that? I know it attacks joints and causes lots of pain.

You should probably add padding under your wrap as vet wrap alone can do more harm than good. Here is a peacock that I wrapped:


If I had to do it again I would not use the beige tape at the top of the bandage.

-Kathy