Broken or dislocated "elbow". Approx. 2 months old.

[Chefdustin]

Hi everyone. I havent had any predator problems. I've removed them. But this time a chick got her foot caught and in the commotion she managed to break or dislocate her leg. At the main bend. Happened a few days ago. She is eating and drinking fine. Gets around ok, but the leg can turn 180 . No pain percieved. What should I do!? Please dont say euthanize, as that's what I was advised with a previous problem, and ended up taking y'alls advice. Very sad. Thanks so much everyone! It's so hard to find a definitive answer just searching.

 

[Pullet Press]

Hi everyone. I havent had any predator problems. I've removed them. But this time a chick got her foot caught and in the commotion she managed to break or dislocate her leg. At the main bend. Happened a few days ago. She is eating and drinking fine. Gets around ok, but the leg can turn 180 . No pain percieved. What should I do!? Please dont say euthanize, as that's what I was advised with a previous problem, and ended up taking y'alls advice. Very sad. Thanks so much everyone! It's so hard to find a definitive answer just searching.

Could you post pictures of the injury?
Oh, and chickens can hide pain very well.

 

[Chefdustin]

Could you post pictures of the injury?
Oh, and chickens can hide pain very well.

Yes. I will post asap

 

[Eggcessive]

Do you have a vet who could xray it, and splint it? Splinting may help, but it sometimes can slip and cut off circulation. I would definitely consider splinting, or limiting her activity in a dog crate with food and water tied or secured inside the crate. Here is a good splinting link on pages 17-22 for legs:
https://theiwrc.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Duerr_Splinting_Manual_2010.pdf

And another:
http://www.starlingtalk.com/fractures.htm

 

[Chefdustin]

Do you have a vet who could xray it, and splint it? Splinting may help, but it sometimes can slip and cut off circulation. I would definitely consider splinting, or limiting her activity in a dog crate with food and water tied or secured inside the crate. Here is a good splinting link on pages 17-22 for legs:
https://theiwrc.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Duerr_Splinting_Manual_2010.pdf

And another:
http://www.starlingtalk.com/fractures.htm

Thank you very much. I could not find that detailed of info anywhere. Here are some pics that were requested as well. Thanks yall!

 

[Chefdustin]

Could you post pictures of the injury?
Oh, and chickens can hide pain very well.

Hi. I've just posted the best pics I could get with her. Thanks for any input. If there is a better pic you need, just describe the shot and I'll do my best

 

[Pullet Press]

Okay
@aart
@sourland
@Eggcessive

 

[Oncoming Storm]

This could be a sprain, dislocation, or break. I lean towards dislocation because of her overall normalness. Best feel for swelling or any obvious breaks.

 

[Trisseh]

I agree your best bet for return to normal function would be a vet visit. It’s impossible to say without X-rays what is actually going on in that joint... if she has a complicated fracture involving the joint it may wind up fusing the joint so it is unable to bend, or a malunion where the bones don’t knit together correctly. If it’s dislocated, it won’t fix itself. It would have to be replaced and splinted/bandaged to keep it there. A lot of care involved, especially depending upon what the damage is in there.

At the very least, if a vet isn’t an option, splinting as Eggcessive said would be best.

 

[Eggcessive]

The joint or above it appears slightly swollen. Have you splinted or taken her to a vet? If splinting, try not to obstruct the circulation, since many things can cut off circulation if they slip or move. This can cause swelling or death of a limb. Always check for swelling or color change. Here is a video of a splint change in a broken lower leg: