Broken leg? Do I have to put my chick down?

[xcchickenman]

Hey everyone,

I believe my six week old Golden Comet has a broken or disjointed leg. She cannot move it and it just kind of hangs tucked up underneath her body. At the hip (or what I think is the hip) she has green skin, very different from the other leg. Is it broken? Infected? I don't have any money for a vet, but I want to help the poor girl. I'm afraid I'll have to put her down.

 

[chickenoverlord]

Can I see a pic? If its dislocated it could cause her to pop a heart attack if you try to relocate it. It might relocate on its own, if that's the problem. If possible, flip her on her back and feel for any breaks. Is the skin ruptured? Is there any swelling?

 

[xcchickenman]

Will post a photo in the morning! There does not appear to be any ruptured skin. The only thing I can see is the green skin where the leg meets the feathers. No swelling, just a limp and useless leg! Thanks for your help.

 

[chickenoverlord]

Sounds like a dislocation, pic will help in the morning. I had a hen who had a dislocated hip, and I just isolated her and it self corrected in a couple days. The poor dear couldn't even walk, she pulled herself along on her wings.

 

[dmack]

Is all her skin green or just on that leg?

 

[xcchickenman]

Its green just on the leg, at the top where the feathers come down over the leg. I will be posting a picture when I get home and the camera is charged!

 

[dmack]

That would be awesome cause with the skin turning green on just the one leg it could be gangrene. And that is not a good thing at all

 

[chickenoverlord]

If the skin isn't broken, it's not gangrene. Its most likely sever bruising in the meat and skin.

 

[dmack]

I wouldn't rule out gangrene. I have seen it before and it can look like severe bruising. If its broke and infected its a good possibility. With out a picture there is not telling. But I agree it could be bruising.

 

[xcchickenman]

Alright, I tried to get a picture without moving the leg too much-- they're not very good, but they're pictures! It looks like the green may be spreading up the leg. Under the feathers the skin looks like its getting green further up. Is this an infection and is there anything I can do to stop it?