Possible dislocated hip?!?! Please help

[harice4806]

I don't really have any good pictures. But I had a hen go to isolation a few weeks ago due to injury from another hen. Thought a sprain or something. I just brought her in for a bath and blow dry and her hip joint feels different. She will stand but not bear weight and hops on her good leg. Totally normal bird otherwise. Eats, drinks, lays me eggs still despite molting. Is culling my only option since I don't believe there are any avian vets near me?

 

[ValerieJ]

If she is fine in every other way I wouldn't cull her. A friend of mine rescued a battery chicken who couldn't walk on one foot because it was full of poo and mud. She cleaned the foot and treated it, but that chicken never walked on that foot again. Was otherwise just fine and a happy chicken.

 

[ValerieJ]

I forgot to ask if she is in any pain in her hip. Can you move it around?

 

[harice4806]

I'm worried because she's a rather submissive hen. Pretty sure that's how she got injured in the first place. I'd be worried about her getting picked on worse. I'm not sure if she's in any real pain. Doesn't pull the leg away from me when I move it to see if I can feel any breaks. There is an area that feels "crunchy" when I gently extend and retract the leg in what I would guess is her knee? It's the first joint above where her leg feathers start. Like 2 inches above it? She's so sweet and a good layer and I really don't want her living life in a kennel but don't want to cull if it's not needed.

 

[Sequel]

I’m so sorry for you and your girl! Have you called around the vets in your area to see if anyone treats chickens? My chicken vet is a small animal vet not an avian specialist. It would be good to get some trained eyes and maybe an X-ray so you know what you’re up against. Good luck!

 

[harice4806]

I decided to Google vets near me as I thought I saw one who sees horses. Sure enough they also see "large and small farm animals". I will be calling tomorrow and see if they can get her in. She's just too sweet to give up on!

 

[Sequel]

Good on you! It’s wonderful to have a place to run fecals etc..Isure hope for the best for her!

 

[ValerieJ]

That's definitely a relief. I wish I had a vet that would see chickens. Please let us know what you find out.

 

[harice4806]

Months ago I watched her just from the outside roost to the ground and she injured the same leg. She limped for a week and was fine. Makes me wonder if she has some sort of physical problem with it from the get go. Phone calls will be made in the morning but I may not be able to get her in until Tuesday due to work. She'll stay in her kennel as she has been and I'll update after! Thanks again!

 

[Eggcessive]

It is good that you are calling the vet. An xray would be best, but the vet may be able to feel if it is dislocated or broken. There could be some arthritis as well, due to the “crunchy” sound. Let us know what happens.