broken/hurt leg

[Harestad Farm]

Hey, its me again... thanks so much for all your help. Today i found one of my girls making a wierd noise laying in the snow (we woke up to a white christmas here in seattle) upon further investigation she is really favoring one leg. It appears limp and unable to put pressure on it. Though when I sprinkled some scratch mix on the ground she was sure motivated to try and get some though it was hard to watch. So what now??? hundred or thousand dollar surgeries at a vet are out of the question. Because though they are pets, there is a line.... So do I try and make it comfortable in the coop and provide easy access to water and food and see if it will heal on its own. do I try and brace the leg? or do I just sadly end the suffering.. on a side note some of the other hens do seam to be harassing her now that she is injured. Though she is kind of at the bottom of the pecking order already and normally does get pushed around a bit... any help or advice would be appreciated

 

[azygous]

Segregate her so the others won't hurt her. This will also allow you to watch her behavior and make further assessments as to what could be wrong.

If the leg is broken, you may see bruising on the scales and swelling, and by feeling the length of the leg, you will be able to tell if there's an interruption of the continuity of the bone.

If you locate the break, you can splint it by first wrapping some cushioning material around it, then place popsickle sticks along the leg, then wrapping them securely, but not so tight as to cut off circulation. After splinting, the chicken will be able to use the leg.

If the leg ligament is strained or bruised, a few days of rest should help it heal. You can give one baby aspirin twice a day for pain and to reduce inflammation.

 

[Harestad Farm]

thank you I will try all this

 

[Harestad Farm]

Segregate her so the others won't hurt her. This will also allow you to watch her behavior and make further assessments as to what could be wrong.

If the leg is broken, you may see bruising on the scales and swelling, and by feeling the length of the leg, you will be able to tell if there's an interruption of the continuity of the bone.

If you locate the break, you can splint it by first wrapping some cushioning material around it, then place popsickle sticks along the leg, then wrapping them securely, but not so tight as to cut off circulation. After splinting, the chicken will be able to use the leg.

If the leg ligament is strained or bruised, a few days of rest should help it heal. You can give one baby aspirin twice a day for pain and to reduce inflammation.

so I went and checked on her. I was unable to feel any break in the lower extremity. Fact i even gradually put more and more pressure as i felt the leg and didnt feel anything, nor did the she show any sign of distress. she did get quite squeamish as i worked up towards her thigh. But I wasnt sure if it was just general discomfort, sick of being held, or the actual concern. but that high up in the thigh i think itd be impossible to efectively brace the leg...

 

[azygous]

Have you examined her feet? Sometimes a bruise or cut on the foot pad can cause pain and limping. Even a toenail torn partially loose can cause a lot of pain, but it's not something we notice right a away.

If you find no injuries to her feet, I would just go ahead and treat her with the aspirin, let her stay quiet for a day or two, and maybe the aspirin will reduce the inflammation.

Unfortunately, there are other reasons for lameness, but most aren't treatable. Let's hope the aspirin will get her feeling better.

 

[Sunshine Flock]

Do you see any discoloration at all?

It's possible my rooster's leg was broken or fractured by a predator. The redness and swelling was gradual, not right away, and I couldn't detect any visible signs of a break. The discoloration was the first hint that something was wrong.

 

[Harestad Farm]

Have you examined her feet? Sometimes a bruise or cut on the foot pad can cause pain and limping. Even a toenail torn partially loose can cause a lot of pain, but it's not something we notice right a away.

If you find no injuries to her feet, I would just go ahead and treat her with the aspirin, let her stay quiet for a day or two, and maybe the aspirin will reduce the inflammation.

Unfortunately, there are other reasons for lameness, but most aren't treatable. Let's hope the aspirin will get her feeling better.

So sad news to report... It would really appear that its something other than a broken/fractured or bruised leg. besides the unable to move or support the one leg i could never find, feel or see any evidence of a wound or fracture. she did appear to be eating and drinking still.... but she seemed to be getting progressively worse. Until i found her like this... either she is giving up or there is a deeper medical concern and cause for the lameness... which brings me to the big question... what else could it be? a disease? anything contagious that i need to be concerned for the rest of the flock? she has not passed yet but Im sure in the morning she will be

 

[azygous]

I strongly suggest you get a necropsy after this hen dies. It will tell you exactly what you've got going on in your flock. Make no mistake, if it's something contagious, it has implications for the rest of your flock.

Did you mention the age of this hen? I can't seem to find it if you did.

 

[LuLuFlockMom]

Poor baby. I hope she recovers. Best of luck.

 

[Harestad Farm]

I strongly suggest you get a necropsy after this hen dies. It will tell you exactly what you've got going on in your flock. Make no mistake, if it's something contagious, it has implications for the rest of your flock.

Did you mention the age of this hen? I can't seem to find it if you did.

ok thanks... she is about 6 mo old. She was just beginning to lay