Broken leg I think from jumping down from too high?

[sheeshshe]

I think one of my chickens broke her leg by jumping down from the eaves of the coop. They have a roost but don't use it. She could jump down onto the roost and then down to the ground, but she doesn't. She is hopping around and not putting weight on it. Is there anything I should do, or will it just heal on its own?

Should I make it impossible for them to roost up in the eaves?

 

[Judy]

This article has good info on treating a variety of leg and foot problems:

https://sites.google.com/a/poultrypedia.com/poultrypedia/poultry-podiatry

The way they like to get down from a high place is to fly down, at least sort of. This requires a fair amount of lateral room. If they don't have it, I would definitely block off the eaves. Mine "fly" at least as far across the coop as they do down, and it is only a 30" high roost.

If they are not using the roost, it may not be comfortable. Chickens prefer a wider roost, such as the wide side of a 2x4 or a thick branch. Their toes do not curl around a narrow, broomstick-like roost the way many birds' would.

 

[sheeshshe]

the roosts are 2x6's. some roost there, but most don't. the coop is about 11 feet long. the eaves are about 8 fet up, but it depends on where they are on the eaves. if they were on the end, then sure they might have enough room. but if they're in the middle then they'll only have the width of the coop, which is about 5 feet. I guess I will find a way to block it off.

 

[Arielle]

Mine will pick the highest point to roost. I added hens so added roost space, and the dominant girls moved up to the highest roosts. Often the lower ones are completely empty now that the 'new" are not so new and are included in the effort to roost as tight as sardines.

Sorry she got hurt. Maybe R and R to rest and heal. GL