Chick subject to dog attack :( Broken/sprained leg, please help!

[Debbienmousey]

Hi,

We have 4 2 1/2 week old chicks which live outside with their mom(Little Red Hen). Since they kept getting out of their cage we let them live with the rest of the flock. Well unfortunately the chicks can get out of the run by going under the gate. We knew about this and we have dogs which like to play with the chickens (Chase for fun), so before I let the dogs out I'd glance over at the chicken run and make sure I didn't see any chicks out. This worked good for a few days. Yesterday we were over at our friends house and we kept the chickens locked in their run (Normally they free-range on days we're home). My dad was going to get home an hour or two before us so mom had asked him to let the dogs out when he got home. He let them out and apparently one of Little Red Hen's chicks had gotten out of the run(Dad didn't know to check them before letting the dogs out). One of the dogs got the chick and although she didn't appear to be bleeding, the chick has had injury to her right leg. She cannot put weight on it, and generally has it stretched out. The chick is in with 3 keets and another chick, all about the same age.

Nothing is sticking out of her leg as if she had broke a bone, so I'm not sure if it's just sprained, or she pulled something, or if it's broken. I was wondering if there's anything we can do for her, or if she'll either have to live that way or it'll fix itself.

I can try to get some pictures if they'd be helpful, but it's kinda hard to see.

Thank you for any help/advice.

 

[California Ducken]

Yes please post pictures.
Sorry I can't help.
But others will want to see damage. So they can put a plan together and give advise.
Sorry about your chickie.
Don't give up.
Give supportive care right now.
Electrolytes and vitamins in the water.
Give her boiled egg for extra protein.
Hopefully someone else will chime in too.

 

[Debbienmousey]

Thanks California Ducken.

I will try and get pictures of her. We'll give her a couple days at least I'm sure. (I just hope she can get better)

I'll fix her some Quik Chik, that should help. She is eating a 26% protein gamebird starter, is this enough?

 

[tomdeggeater]

Chicks that young (like most babies) have bones that are like rubber. So it's probably just a bruise. Any willow trees around? You could try giving the chick some of the inner willow bark, which is what natural aspirin is made of.
Tom

 

[California Ducken]

Why don't you have them on chick starter?
Hard boiled egg. And some yogurt is good to give some supportive care.
Maby you can tape splint it with vet wrap or coban you can find it at the feed store (usually for horses) or you can find it at a grocery store in the foot care isle. For humans it's usually tan color. It's a bandage that only sticks to itself. Don't put it on to tight as to not cut off circulation.
You can do it. Like tomdeggeater's saying is at the bottom of his advise.
I need to steal that motto from you tomdeggeater!!!!
Good Luck and keep us posted!

 

[Debbienmousey]

tomdeggeater, thanks! That reassures me a lot that she will most likely be OK. I'm not sure if we have any willow trees around, but if I can find some I'll try giving her some.

California Ducken, we ran out of chick starter and haven't gotten any more. Next time Dad goes to the feed store I'll ask him to pick some up. But I've heard the extra protein won't hurt chicks, we have guinea keets also which need more protein then chicks, and some of the keets are in with the chicks. They all seem happy and healthy. I'll see if Mom has any extra yogurt we could give the chick.

I've been hearing a lot about the vet wrap, I'll have to look into getting some.

Here's some pics. I think she's hurting at her knee, (I have no idea what it's really called, the part where fluff and feathers start on the leg. Or would it be where they end?)

I have never seen her stand like this before.

This is how she's been sleeping.

On our left is her hurt leg.

Closest leg to us is hurt

I don't know why her toes were curling under. They do not normally do this.

Thanks California Ducken, I will try to keep you up to date on this little ones progress.

 

[California Ducken]

She might be injured up by her hip. (where the leg meets the body)
In the photos it dosn't appear to be very much swelling. Did you check her thigh and hip for any puncture wounds?

 

[Debbienmousey]

Yes, at least I tried. I'll look her over again later.

 

[California Ducken]

How is she this morning?

 

[Debbienmousey]

My little one is not much different from yesterday. When she stands she can put a little weight on her foot, but not much. Also sometimes her toes appear to be curling under when she walks, but they aren't always like this.

She has a good appetite, drinks well, and can get around. I'm hoping that the other chick and keets aren't wearing her out too much (2 of the keets and the other chick are much more active than her and the 3rd keet).

I hope she'll be okay. (Although I'm almost thinking she's a rooster because her tail feathers are coming in slowly)