Broken leg at joint.

[casportpony]

I've had chickens for years, but this is my first case of a broken leg. The chicken can move her toes, she even bends her leg when I am holding her, but is unable to stand. She keeps trying to stand on her "knee," can't seem to stand with the leg fully extended. No wound. I have looked at a diagram of a chickens skeletal structure, and I have felt for fractures/out of place bones. I didn't feel anything out of place. I think the problem must the in the "knee" joint. I have her in a No. 2 washtub layered with hay in the house. She has fresh food and water. It is taking some time to convince her that she needs to lay down, not keep trying to stand on it. I don't think a splint is going to help in this case. Immoblizing the knee would make it hard for her to lay down. I'm thinking she may need a week or two of rest. I've been looking up information on what else I can do, but haven't found anything about breaking a leg "at the knee." Maybe tendon/ligament damage? Suggestions?

Welcome to BYC! This link has some good info: https://sites.google.com/a/poultrypedia.com/poultrypedia/poultry-podiatry
You should probably start your own thread and include some pictures.

• Read this first: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/3569/have-an-emergency-disease-please-read-first
• Then start new thread: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forums/threads/add/forumId/10

-Kathy

 

[Sarevan]

I have seen a chicken with a broken leg at knee, my friend made a hammock, holes for the legs to hang out. There are some posts on how to make it here in the forums. As for swelling and lack of response, sometimes the nerves are in shock after a break (like in humans) and there can be lack of sensation or response. I would give it 48-72 hrs to see if there is any recovery.

For a splint id take a tube make a notch so it forms to the area to stabilize it then wrap in vet wrap. The hammock may be necessary to prevent use until healed enough to support weight. Also there could be a chance of the joint fusing so it could never straighten, but it could walk rather gimpy. Several 1 legged or pegged leg chickens on here, for culling that would be something you would need to decide as lack of mobility would make the bird unable to flee properly from threats.

Good luck!

 

[redpennies15]

More info in case it helps: My hen is 5 months old, has not laid eggs yet, doesn't seem to have a swollen joint, and can move her toes. I have not started feeding them oyster shell...maybe a calcium issue is causing this?

To Kathy: I may start a new thread if I can't find what I need from here or previous threads. Thanks for the links showing me how to do this!
To Sarevan: I do like the hammock idea and will research it!

 

[casportpony]

More info in case it helps: My hen is 5 months old, has not laid eggs yet, doesn't seem to have a swollen joint, and can move her toes. I have not started feeding them oyster shell...maybe a calcium issue is causing this?

To Kathy: I may start a new thread if I can't find what I need from here or previous threads. Thanks for the links showing me how to do this!
To Sarevan: I do like the hammock idea and will research it!

Try doing a search for chick or chicken sling, that will show lots of pictures. Curiously, was she vaccinated for Marek's?

-Kathy

 

[redpennies15]

Never would have thought to look "chicken sling" up before! But there are people who have already successfully tried it!

In a metal rabbit cage with chicken sling made from underwear. Lol, this one is totally do-able for me!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/404167/underwear-makes-a-great-sling-updated-with-pics-added
Another good one using bowling ball sling and a pvc pipe for outside pen.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/364681/best-sling-everrrr-for-broken-leg-updated-with-pic/10
In a dog pet porter w/ hammock.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/147520/update-on-roo-with-broken-leg-pics-of-chicken-sling

 

[Sarevan]

There are chicken diapers, saddles, hammocks, slings, and bra for enlarged crop, capes, hoods, hats, footware, and hobbles. I don't think there is much chicken related that surprises me anymore - makes me laugh though.

Hope your girl recovers quickly - keep us updated with pictures!

 

[redpennies15]

She's feeling so much better now, that not only is she standing on her leg, she is roosting!



I never did try the chicken sling...I'm not so sure it was a broken leg after all. I have been giving her Hypercium (homeopathic remedy) in case it was Marek's disease. Will be keeping an eye on her for another week just in case she has a relapse.

 

[qdfarm]

Has anyone had a chicken with broken leg at elbow (technically a birds wrist)?

At present, this was 3 hours ago, the shank was floppy with no movement of toes. We made a makeshift splint for now, felt for break and seemed right at joint. Held in place best we could to splint.

I'm dubious he'll be able to bend again at that joint and will re-avaluate tomorrow to also make a better splint/cast once gauze is purchased.

Looking for experience with breaks and particularly at the joint. If it was the actual bone I'd be O.K. with splinting and waiting but this is particularly difficult and concerned about the toes not moving.


Thank You


Edited to take out any drama. Just looking for suggestions and aid.

whatever happened with this bird? We have a similar issue and want to know if the joint is healable. also, the kind of splint used

 

[qdfarm]

Has anyone had a chicken with broken leg at elbow (technically a birds wrist)?

At present, this was 3 hours ago, the shank was floppy with no movement of toes. We made a makeshift splint for now, felt for break and seemed right at joint. Held in place best we could to splint.

I'm dubious he'll be able to bend again at that joint and will re-avaluate tomorrow to also make a better splint/cast once gauze is purchased.

Looking for experience with breaks and particularly at the joint. If it was the actual bone I'd be O.K. with splinting and waiting but this is particularly difficult and concerned about the toes not moving.


Thank You


Edited to take out any drama. Just looking for suggestions and aid.

whatever happened with this bird? we have the same issue of a broken joint with our bird and wondering if it will heal properly, and what kind of splint you made if it did