Broken sternum/keel

[Margot30]

Can you pluck the feathers from the area so we can see what's going on better?

If she can't eat/drink you will need to tube feed, which we can teach you how to do.

She's not really letting me pluck feathers, its distressing her which I would like to avoid. There is no air sac, it is literally a ridge of bone similiar to a breast bone but a bit thicker feeling. I've been able to get her to eat treats and she is drinking some water on her own. As its summer here we have been giving her more water morning and night with a syringe. To watch her its like she cant reach forward so her head is sitting back behind the ridge. I dont think this picture will help but its the best she let me get.

 

[ChickNanny13]

 

[Margot30]

To me it looks like she might have a leaking air sac in the pictures. Does her left upper chest feel balloon-like under the skin. A leaking air sac or subcutaneous emphysema, can be deflated with inserting a needle just barely under the skin, remove it, and then pressing the air out.Leaking air sacs happen from trauma or injury, and air leaks under the skin.

No air sac I'm afraid. Just the hard bone or cartilage ridge.

 

[Margot30]

You need to weigh her daily. If she loses 5% of her wight then you will have to tube food and fluids, so be prepared to do this.

Since I've been hand feeding her and tempting her with chicken treats I actually think she may have put on a couple of extra grams. I will keep my eye on it though thanks

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

Is taking her to the vet an option? If the bulge is bone, an x-ray will really help to see where it needs to go back in place.

 

[Margot30]

Is taking her to the vet an option? If the bulge is bone, an x-ray will really help to see where it needs to go back in place.

Its not really an option for us, an xray is too expensive.

 

[casportpony]

Are yo sure it's not her crop?

 

[Eggcessive]

It is really hard to tell what is going on from the pictures. Could you try one more of her straight on, standing? Chickens can have congenital skeletal problems which can make them look odd. Wry or twisted neck can also make them look twisted or deformed. Tumors do occur, but should not feel like bone. Can you identify her crop, and make sure that it is empty by early morning?

 

[WVduckchick]

How old is this little lady? Can you actually feel anything broken, or fully out of place? How long has she looked this way?

And were you able to weigh her? Monitoring her weight could be very useful until you determine what her issue is. It's best to weigh at the same time of day for comparison.

 

[Grovegirl65]

About 2 weeks ago we noticed that a bantam australorp cross chicken had been injured possibly by a roo. I noticed that her balance was off and is getting worse and that there is a bone protruding from just under her neck. She's still interested in eating and drinking but its very hard for her as she can't bend her neck forwards. Does anyone have any ideas about treatment? Bandaging maybe? Please dont offer advice if it involves culling

We have the same thing happening here. She is not in severe pain her panting has stopped and she is anxious to eat and drink yummy goodies when presented. Grit is important I know but how to get her to ingest it is my pressing issue. She can't seem to keep her legs together and falls ove to her left side where we see this ginormous protrusion. If i was smaryer I would include a photo also but looks like poor lady above. I rwally wna to get rid of the rooster I am pretty sure he did this. We arw treating for B12 deficiency as well because she has those symptoms as well‍♀