Hi All,
I am currently raising 3 ten day old Speckled Sussex chicks, and just last night my cat escaped into our garage and somehow managed to pull one of the chicks out of the brooder through the lid (we just changed the lid to chicken wire). I found her laying helplessly on the floor being stalked by my cat but quickly scooped her up and shooed him away. I found that she has a small wound just above her left leg, but her skin wasn't punctured and I quickly sprayed it with Blu-coat. I separated the brooder in half with some chicken wire and provided her with food and water. She wasn't cheeping or really making any noise while I examined her, but I definitely think she is in pain
When I set her down, I noticed that she couldn't walk and that her left leg was curled up at her side with her toes curled all the way under. This was last night, and this morning she has hobbled around a little bit, but only on one foot and she mostly just stays laying down. I don't know how to help her leg, and I am confused about what the problem is. At first I thought it might be broken, but there are no bones sticking out and it doesn't look crooked. Then I was wondering if maybe it's dislocated because the leg is completely limp, but I'm not sure of that either. It might be nerve damage from getting bitten or scratched ( I don't know exactly what the cat did) in the spot where she had a little gash. I have been gently touching her leg in different places to see if it hurts, but it seems completely limp. I have also been trying to uncurl her toes whenever I can so that when she is laying down, they are straight. That didn't seem to make her feel any pain either. I don't know if I should try to fashion some sort of splint for her leg, or just wait to see if it heals but I feel terrible for her and I want to help her get better. I'm not sure if going to the vet is an option for me right now either, due to Covid-19 and lack of vets in my area that take care of chickens. She hates being separated from her siblings, and I hate having to do it but I know the importance of keeping her separated. Just wondering if anyone has had similar experience or would know what is wrong with her leg/how to help? Thank you!
I am currently raising 3 ten day old Speckled Sussex chicks, and just last night my cat escaped into our garage and somehow managed to pull one of the chicks out of the brooder through the lid (we just changed the lid to chicken wire). I found her laying helplessly on the floor being stalked by my cat but quickly scooped her up and shooed him away. I found that she has a small wound just above her left leg, but her skin wasn't punctured and I quickly sprayed it with Blu-coat. I separated the brooder in half with some chicken wire and provided her with food and water. She wasn't cheeping or really making any noise while I examined her, but I definitely think she is in pain
When I set her down, I noticed that she couldn't walk and that her left leg was curled up at her side with her toes curled all the way under. This was last night, and this morning she has hobbled around a little bit, but only on one foot and she mostly just stays laying down. I don't know how to help her leg, and I am confused about what the problem is. At first I thought it might be broken, but there are no bones sticking out and it doesn't look crooked. Then I was wondering if maybe it's dislocated because the leg is completely limp, but I'm not sure of that either. It might be nerve damage from getting bitten or scratched ( I don't know exactly what the cat did) in the spot where she had a little gash. I have been gently touching her leg in different places to see if it hurts, but it seems completely limp. I have also been trying to uncurl her toes whenever I can so that when she is laying down, they are straight. That didn't seem to make her feel any pain either. I don't know if I should try to fashion some sort of splint for her leg, or just wait to see if it heals but I feel terrible for her and I want to help her get better. I'm not sure if going to the vet is an option for me right now either, due to Covid-19 and lack of vets in my area that take care of chickens. She hates being separated from her siblings, and I hate having to do it but I know the importance of keeping her separated. Just wondering if anyone has had similar experience or would know what is wrong with her leg/how to help? Thank you!
