6 week old chick with broken leg - what to do?

[shelbybr]

I was in my chicken pen the day before yesterday. I didn't realize my Blue Heeler had slipped in behind me and run down one of my chickens. I immediately called her off, but the damage was done. The chicken's leg appears to be broken just above the hock.

I raise chicken for meat and eggs. I have RIR and Rocks. This is a Rock, about 6 weeks. I don't know whether it's male or female. It was mid-afternoon, and I figured I'd probably have to euthanize it. I left it in the pen, and checked on it later that night and the next morning. It seems to be hopping around well on one leg, using it's wings for balance. It's eating well, drinking normally, seems to be pooping normally.

I figured if it wants to give it a try, I'll give it a try. I splinted the joint as best I could with some bent wire and surgical tape. It seems to be holding the break reasonably stable. I trimmed the feathers so the tape would stick. Today it's getting around pretty well on one leg, resting and flapping in and out of the box.

How long do chicken bones take to heal? I realize the prospects for this little chicken aren't great. Even if the bone heals, I doubt the joint will be fully functional. I don't want the other leg to fail under the weight, but I'd like to give this little chicken a chance.

Advice?

 

[dlhunicorn]

4-6 weeks

 

[azrc]

I have a RIR that got into a fight fight with the rest of the flock when she was quite young. With the injuries incurred I couldn't see anyway that she would survive, but I brought her inside and spoon fed her for a couple of weeks. Somehow she did survive and the hole that was her side closed up.

She lost the use of her right leg and wing though and after I dumped her back outside she learned to hop around on one leg. This was about 6 months ago and other than dragging her dead side around seems fairly happy and is a good egg layer.

I guess this doesn't answer your question, but if it does survive it will probably be happy just to hop around on one leg.

 

[shelbybr]

Thanks, I figured it would take a while.

Animals never cease to amaze me with their resilience. It's nice to know that chickens can get along on one foot. He (or she) does have two good wings and does seem to be using them for balance and movement. He appears to be taking this in stride.

Then one of his siblings walked up and stood on him.

We'll see how this turns out. I got a straight run of chicks. The boys won't be around much beyond crowing age, so this may be a reasonably short problem.