Back in March, I received a 2yr old polish hen from my father in law. Apparently she was one of a very active flock a few states away and was some how Injured along the trip when he moved. He had her indoors for a few weeks after as New England weather hadn't stabilized yet, but he didn't really do much else, said he didn't know how or what to do.
So anyway by the time I received her she would do this skip fly thing, but otherwise seems fine. She has since integrated with my flock and even bonded with my polish roo and his 2 hens! She gets in and out of the coop herself (altho we love to help her) and gets to the water/feeder no problem, but roosts on the edge of the nesting boxes rather than the bar. The rest of my flock free ranges as we have plenty of land, and she does her best but stays fairly close to home which sometimes leaves her sitting alone... visual snack for a hawk...
I feel her hip? (Do chickens have hips) has been broken and healed without being reset. What can I do? She seems otherwise happy so I'd hate to bring her to a vet to be pulled and poked for nothing.... is there anything I can do to help her while keeping her happy?
So anyway by the time I received her she would do this skip fly thing, but otherwise seems fine. She has since integrated with my flock and even bonded with my polish roo and his 2 hens! She gets in and out of the coop herself (altho we love to help her) and gets to the water/feeder no problem, but roosts on the edge of the nesting boxes rather than the bar. The rest of my flock free ranges as we have plenty of land, and she does her best but stays fairly close to home which sometimes leaves her sitting alone... visual snack for a hawk...
I feel her hip? (Do chickens have hips) has been broken and healed without being reset. What can I do? She seems otherwise happy so I'd hate to bring her to a vet to be pulled and poked for nothing.... is there anything I can do to help her while keeping her happy?
I would just leave her be if she were mine. Chickens don't always survive anesthesia and you might regret trying to fix her if she doesn't make it. It may make more pain for her in the long run. I'd just keep an eye on her. If she sleeps on the floor of the coop, I'd put a cage over her at night, bed her deeply in grass hay or shavings, wrap 3 sides and top of the cage with an old quilt to keep the heat in. If she gets cold, you may need to use heat on her. Maybe even make a house chicken out of her.
to have you here with us. Enjoy your time here at BYC!
