Broken Toe(s) Older Break

[Red 7889]

Hello - I have a 9 month old chickens and one 1 has not yet layed an egg. She walks funny and usually sits and doesn't forage around like the others. I just thought she was a lazy one or just the black sheep of the family but today when I was feeding her some bread (she likes to eat from my hand, but eats just as fine alone) I noticed her one foot and her toes looked crooked. Could her problem be from a broken toe(s)?? If it is, it must have been a long time ago (I always remember her being like this) and we bought them at 18 weeks old.

Can I splint it now? She probably has pain when walking, so she chooses not to walk too much. Maybe stress is causing her not to lay an egg too. Help!! Now that I know what is probably wrong, I really would like to help her. One of my other chicks were sick and I ended up taking her to the vet and it cost over $300. I cant do that again (said my husband) but if there is anything I can do to help her feel more comfortable I will try.

Thanks!!

 

[chooks4life]

If you get 10 posts you can post a photo. A pic of the hen would help to diagnose the best course of action.

Generally speaking, splinting old breaks isn't the best idea, but if you know what you're doing it can help. But it sounds to me like more than her foot is involved. I had one hen who was stomped on by a horse, and she suffered a mass body fracture as well as a messed up leg and foot, and her leg healed bent like a banana, but the hidden body injuries were what plagued her for the rest of her life. Not that she didn't have quality of life, but she didn't lay eggs with shells for a year, and when she did begin laying shelled eggs again, the entire surface was rippled.

I think this may be more serious than just the foot, but hopefully she can pull through. Best wishes.