2 chickens with injuries

[julie Cruz]

Hi BYC! I have a total of 5 chickens. After we got back from a week vacation, we found that 2 of our girls were limping. One has a tender leg and limps the other one has a knee that buckles - like she is double jointed. We usually let them out of their coop during the day to free range but while we had a chicken sitter they stayed in their coop for safety. I am thinking that they flew off their perch and smashed into something. What do you recommend? Financially a vet visit is the last thing to do so I was hoping to help my girls myself. They are RIR and a barred rock - not small birds. They eat and drink fine. One doesnt scratch tho so it must be painful. They are 4 months old. Thank you in advance!

 

[Kathy Golla]

I think the first line of defense I would take is check the bottom of the one that’s limpings foot for bumblefoot. I wouldn’t futz too much with the worse ones leg until you get more advice. Usually the protocol for leg injuries is to isolate the bird for a few days so they can rest the leg.

 

[Eggcessive]

Is your coop large enough to place the 2 limping hens into a large dog crate with food and water to force them to rest their legs? How high are your roosts? Hens who are used to getting outside daily may have been a bit cooped up and that is when they can jump on each other and tussle. Another solution might be to lower your roost temporarily lower to the ground. Splinting sometimes can help if there is a broken bone, but doing it properly is important. Vet wrap, padding, and something stiff, such as popsicle sticks can be used, but make sure that the splint wrap is not too tight. Here is some info on splinting bones:
https://theiwrc.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Duerr_Splinting_Manual_2010.pdf