replying to my own post! Like talking to my Husband when the TV is on
Anyway left chick with fractured hip or uppermost femur 24 hours. Thought the stress of being untangled from Mommas feathering after hanging there for who knows how long was enough stress for one day. Leg was pointing backwards, bruised, foot swollen and chick propelling itself along on his belly. definite "crunch" in the hip area.
Spent the evening worrying about chick-wondering what to do-let nature take it's course and leave with mom, seperate and attempt to splint, euthanize? Researched splinting-lots of info on forums. Finally decided to treat as spraddle leg and went to barn with my cut in half bandaids.
When I arrived in the morning four chicks were out and about and I feared fifth had been trampled to death. But NO
fifth chick was walking on two legs. foot swollen but pointing in the right direction. chick bright.
When I worked for a vet we called this "benign neglect". In horses we call the decision about what to do with injuries "if in doubt, turn them out". I also remember when working for this vet that when a dog dislocated its hip-we manipulated it back and then, shockingly, the area was struck several blows with a rubber hammer. This caused swelling which helped keep the hip in place. I wonder if the swelling in this chicks thigh area is helping stabilize his injury.
Anyway wanted to let others know that sometimes "watching and waiting" IS a decision. I am hoping that the rapid growth of this very young chick will help it heal quickly.
