broken toe

[chickmomma03]

I have one that came to me as a day old with a sideways crooked toe (not sure if it was a birth defect or it broke during shipping or something). I wish I would have known to splint it, but at this point I don't want to do anything to it, and she seems fine with it (3 1/2mos). She is doing just fine, but I feel bad I didn't try to fix it.

Quote: if you want to fix it, whether he likes it or not, you're going to have to hold him.

 

[gguineasfamily]

I was wondering about some ideas on this subject also. I have a 3 year old BO rooster weighs about 9 lbs (big boy). We noticed a few days ago that he has been limping and favoring his right leg. We were watching him closely today and noticed that when he tries to walk, his middle toe kind of tangles. (It is not crooked in anyway). Therefore we're thinking that maybe he broke it somehow. His leg itself doesn't seem to be swollen or broken. He is spending more time sitting and he is not roosting so I know it really bothers him. He is a very fussy rooster and doesn't like anyone to get to close to him especially my husband. I can pet him when he's roosting in the evening but not pick him up and that's the extent of our closeness.

Anyway I was reading these threads and still trying to figure the best way to handle this since we can't get too close to him. It upsets me to see him like this and don't know what to do. Any experienced help is appreciated. Is just tapping a better way to go verses splinting?? That's if we can even manage to grab him up. I don't know!! Help!!

I'm not really very experienced, I would say it's probably best to grab him and splint it but you can leave him alone and depending on how bad it is it may heal up on its own.

Photo?

Edit: I just saw chickmomma03's post above, yes, you should handle him. He will get tamer

 

[zuluchicken]

Here is my advice from previous experience and growing up with thousands of chickens on the farm. Just let it be. It happens more often than what we think.

It will create more discomfort for the chicken when you are going to splint it. How is she going to walk and scratch with the splint in place. In my opinion a splint is going to cause more problems. If the broken toe does not bother her, let nature takes it course.

I had a backyard chicken with a broken toe a few years ago. The tip dried out and eventually fell off. She went about her business through out the "ordeal" without once looking distressed. We are more than often more upset and distressed than the chickens. They are tough creatures

 

[zuluchicken]

When you need to handle a nervous chicken like this BO with the broken toe do it at night. Chickens can not see in the dark. Wait until he has roosted and then go with as little noise and light as possible and remove him from where he is roosting. Take him inside, do whatever you need to do and keep him in a box for the rest of the night in the dark until the next morning. Release him back with the rest. Do not try and administer the treatment there in the coup. It will upset the rest.

I would not recommend splinting . If possible at all just let it be and allow nature to takes its course. If you have to do something, tape the toe up with some kind of support placed on the top of the toe- not on the side or bottom. Be careful when you remove the tape that you don't break the toe again.

 

[sunshinegirl12]

Thanks for the advise to all. Brewster the Rooster was starting to look in distress therefore decided to consult a Vet, turns out his toe was not broke but however it was turned around, an X-ray was done. Don't know how he did that but he did. The Vet did straighten it out and it has been wrapped. He's been resting in a separate very big cage and being rechecked at the end of this week. Hopefully he'll be able to rejoin with the girls on Friday. I know crazy for getting a Vet but he is still one of my babies and will be treated as all my other animals are and I couldn't stand seeing him like that anymore. As I don't have my chicks for food they are more for enjoyment and of course their delicious eggs. Thanks again to all,

 

[zuluchicken]

I am glad that it worked out at the end. Good luck!!!

 

[Chicks4fun2]

My 2 year old RIR started limping on Friday, 4 days ago. And at the time I didn't know what was wrong but now I have figured it out to most likely be a broken middle toe. But it appears to be broken at or around the ankle joint. I have been treating her with Epsom salts, baby asprin, and a little quiet time and she has improved a lot. I may move her back to the flock. But I'm worried it may be too soon. And I been reading this thread and read bout about their toes falling off. Is this something I need to be worried about... Do they always fall off?

 

[zuluchicken]

The broken toe does always fall off. It depends on how serious the injury is. Even if it does fall off it is not the end of the world. The chicken can survive without one toe. We tend to be over protective. See my previous post. Let nature takes its natural course.

 

[LunaChickie]

I'm so glad this thread exists. I JUST got my coop and run going Saturday (It's now Thursday) and I already have a girl with a broken toe. It, unfortunately, DOES really bother her. She is only laying down and I worried that the others would bug her. So I'm going to put her in a brooder type box my sister in law let us borrow outside of the coop but right next to it. I know they're just chickens but I swear the others were concerned that she wasn't coming in to roost..and she was upset she couldn't.

She's definitely in pain. Poor girl still popped out a HUGE egg for us today tho (Leghorn). I'm relieved to see this thread and know that she's not a goner yet.

 

[bitzercrew]

Here is my advice from previous experience and growing up with thousands of chickens on the farm. Just let it be. It happens more often than what we think.

It will create more discomfort for the chicken when you are going to splint it. How is she going to walk and scratch with the splint in place. In my opinion a splint is going to cause more problems. If the broken toe does not bother her, let nature takes it course.

I had a backyard chicken with a broken toe a few years ago. The tip dried out and eventually fell off. She went about her business through out the "ordeal" without once looking distressed. We are more than often more upset and distressed than the chickens. They are tough creatures

How do you know its effecting, she eats and drinks with limp, them to attempt to fix? My girl is about a year old and her inner right toe is at an "L" she limps and it looks red at the bend?Is that a concern for blood flow, should I attempt to set it in morning? Im a first time chickener and have bumble foot as well if you have any information I would be happy to hear. I am all natural and use roots or herbs for treatment.