Broken leg already healed...can I do anything to help her?

[msheppard0728]

I’ve got a 6 week old Easter Egger sweetie. I’m a first time chicken owner, and when I noticed something wasn’t right with her leg, I did HOURS of reading, researching and watching videos. I was convinced it was spraddle/splay leg or slipped tendon. I tried all the things to try to help with those. Didn’t help. I was defeated but decided to just give it time and hope for the best. Long story short, I finally found a vet close enough to drive to that saw birds. She said it had been broken and has already healed.

Is there anything I can do to help her so she can get around better?

She isn’t growing like her siblings, but still growing, getting her big girl feathers (much slower rate than siblings), and eating drinking. But she doesn’t like to hobble around much. She sticks to her comfort spot and comes out when things are super quiet to eat a little and drink. I feel horrible. Had I only known I think I could have helped her better. The leg seems to be turning backwards more now...maybe as she’s trying to compensate balance wise? Any ideas to help? Wait it out? Put her down?

 

[msheppard0728]

I’ve got a 6 week old Easter Egger sweetie. I’m a first time chicken owner, and when I noticed something wasn’t right with her leg, I did HOURS of reading, researching and watching videos. I was convinced it was spraddle/splay leg or slipped tendon. I tried all the things to try to help with those. Didn’t help. I was defeated but decided to just give it time and hope for the best. Long story short, I finally found a vet close enough to drive to that saw birds. She said it had been broken and has already healed.

Is there anything I can do to help her so she can get around better?

She isn’t growing like her siblings, but still growing, getting her big girl feathers (much slower rate than siblings), and eating drinking. But she doesn’t like to hobble around much. She sticks to her comfort spot and comes out when things are super quiet to eat a little and drink. I feel horrible. Had I only known I think I could have helped her better. The leg seems to be turning backwards more now...maybe as she’s trying to compensate balance wise? Any ideas to help? Wait it out? Put her down?

** Also...it’s really hard for her to lay down. She will often stand to sleep. Leaned against the side of the brooder with her head down. She will lay down if it’s really quiet and calm as far as the other chicks. I do have her separated but just on the other side of the wall from the other chicks. She does have one of my calmer girls in the same box with her.

 

[Stipenvlerk]

Oef, it must be difficult to learn that you were trying to do the best you could but actually caused discomfort to your chicken...

what did the vet advise? could it be corrected?

 

[msheppard0728]

Oef, it must be difficult to learn that you were trying to do the best you could but actually caused discomfort to your chicken...

what did the vet advise? could it be corrected?

Super late reply...sorry! Couldn’t be corrected. Took her to 2 bird specialists. They confirm she’s not in any pain. Seems content. Growing and healthy. If continues that way...just let her do her thing. Surgery with removal of leg or any attempt to correct either isn’t possible or she most likely wouldn’t survive.

Sooo...current status at 26-27 weeks old-ish...
She is thriving overall! She’s a happy girl who is spoiled rotten. She doesn’t venture far from the coop...and makes me a little sad she can’t roost with the others. But I’m so thankful the others have accepted her. We’ve got one bossy lady who gets a little snippy with her at times, but she’s smart and knows how to avoid crossing paths with that one. She’s gaining more confidence as we have some 9 week babies now in the coop. She likes to get a little bossy with them. Lol. Even the guineas know she means business and she has been known to put them in place when they are getting on her nerves. She’s the only one of that bunch that isn’t laying yet. From what I’ve read, it’s very likely she will one day but definitely expected to have been delayed from her siblings. Soooo so glad we didn’t make any rash decisions and gave her a fighting chance. She is definitely the favorite.

 

[msheppard0728]

Update on our girl...
current status at 26-27 weeks old-ish...
She is thriving overall! She’s a happy girl who is spoiled rotten. She doesn’t venture far from the coop...and makes me a little sad she can’t roost with the others. But I’m so thankful the others have accepted her. We’ve got one bossy lady who gets a little snippy with her at times, but she’s smart and knows how to avoid crossing paths with that one. She’s gaining more confidence as we have some 9 week babies now in the coop. She likes to get a little bossy with them. Lol. Even the guineas know she means business and she has been known to put them in place when they are getting on her nerves. She’s the only one of that bunch that isn’t laying yet. From what I’ve read, it’s very likely she will one day but definitely expected to have been delayed from her siblings. Soooo so glad we didn’t make any rash decisions and gave her a fighting chance. She is definitely the favorite.

 

[ackie]

She is definitely the favorite.

shhh dont let the others hear you