Chick with a broken leg.

[Mel35]

Green coloring is bruising, so let's hope over the next week or so that will resolved and the tissue will not look like it's dying. It can be hard to tell sometimes.

With that much swelling, I would be hesitant to wrap the foot at this time. It would be hard to do and I'd worry about wrappings getting too tight and cutting off circulation.

It's a hard call though. Some will say to definitely wrap, someone like me will say, he's keeping it where it's most comfortable when eating, so leave him to his own devices and monitor heavily. As the swelling and tenderness starts to resolve, he will *hopefully* start to use the foot/leg more and apply pressure at his own pace. Much like we do when injured or have a good sprain.

So...that said, it's up to you to determine the steps you want to take. I won't blast you if you do decide to wrap

Epsom salts can sometimes sooth and help reduce swelling, but this is going to take some time to heal. I really hope that it's all just soft tissue bruising and will heal just fine.

No, I don't think it's Frostbite if you are in AU LOL

Hi Wyorp Rock,

Oh green colouring is swelling? That is good to know I did think that kind of colouring wasn't normal I just wasn't sure how abnormal.

Yeah I don't think I am going to wrap it at this stage. He really only moves around to eat and drink and when he wants a cuddle. I don't know if holding him alot is a good thing or not but I do support his legs when I hold him and 9 times out 10 he will just fall asleep. And he does seem to be resting alot during the day, he has his moments where he is active but mostly he rests.

I definitely monitor him heavily, he has become my full time job at this point, which I am more than OK with I think you're right on him holding it where it's comfortable when he eats. I did notice yesterday when I had him out that he was kinda standing on both legs but not really putting any weight down on it so I am hopeful by just continuing to do what I am doing with the heat, the rest, and the medication that he will come good in the furure

Ok no worries on the Epsom salt baths. Is that something you would recommend or would I just continue to gently clean the wounds he has on his feet?

I hope so too.

You are a very knowledgeable chicken parent, do you know why mothers and babies tend to shun one chick? Is this a normal behaviour or would there have been a reason behind it?

Definitely NOT frostbite. It never gets that cold here, not even in winter

 

[Mel35]

I don’t remember how long it took her to heal, but I do know I have a Wyandotte who broke or dislocated her leg around the same age as your chick. The Wyandotte was isolated from the others, but after a week, her leg didn’t seem any better. I picked her up to check on her, and by chance, somehow reset the leg. The Wyandotte took another couple weeks to fully heal, but now she doesn’t even limp! She’s slightly smaller than her sister, but nothing that noticeable.

If your bird doesn’t get better, you might want to look into making a leg splint. However, I do still think your chick has a good chance to heal on its own.

Hi Chicken_tiger_catt,

Oh wow, what luck that was for your Wyandotte! Resetting the leg by chance. I am so glad your chook made a full recovery.

I feel like this little one is much smaller too. I had another baby hatch yesterday morning and compared to her, my injured chick is MUCH smaller.

The splint idea is in the back of mind, although i would have no idea how to make a splint for a baby sooooo small. But I do think at this stage I am just going to continue doing what I am doing and see where things go.

I really hope so

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hi Wyorp Rock,

Oh green colouring is swelling? That is good to know I did think that kind of colouring wasn't normal I just wasn't sure how abnormal.

Yeah I don't think I am going to wrap it at this stage. He really only moves around to eat and drink and when he wants a cuddle. I don't know if holding him alot is a good thing or not but I do support his legs when I hold him and 9 times out 10 he will just fall asleep. And he does seem to be resting alot during the day, he has his moments where he is active but mostly he rests.

I definitely monitor him heavily, he has become my full time job at this point, which I am more than OK with I think you're right on him holding it where it's comfortable when he eats. I did notice yesterday when I had him out that he was kinda standing on both legs but not really putting any weight down on it so I am hopeful by just continuing to do what I am doing with the heat, the rest, and the medication that he will come good in the furure

Ok no worries on the Epsom salt baths. Is that something you would recommend or would I just continue to gently clean the wounds he has on his feet?

I hope so too.

You are a very knowledgeable chicken parent, do you know why mothers and babies tend to shun one chick? Is this a normal behaviour or would there have been a reason behind it?

Definitely NOT frostbite. It never gets that cold here, not even in winter

You can give the feet a little soak in the epsom salts if you wish, just use your own judgement. Afterward, apply a little ointment to the wounds to help them heal up.

As for why mothers and babies shun a chick, it can be hard to know sometimes. If you have 2 broody hens (sounds like you do?) then this can cause tension between the 2 hens and chicks can get injured. In turn if one is injured, hens may start to pick at it.
While chickens can be sweet and fluffy, they can also be quite brutal to each other, especially to one that is sick or injured.
Every hatch, every brood and broody is going to be a little different.

 

[Mel35]

You can give the feet a little soak in the epsom salts if you wish, just use your own judgement. Afterward, apply a little ointment to the wounds to help them heal up.

As for why mothers and babies shun a chick, it can be hard to know sometimes. If you have 2 broody hens (sounds like you do?) then this can cause tension between the 2 hens and chicks can get injured. In turn if one is injured, hens may start to pick at it.
While chickens can be sweet and fluffy, they can also be quite brutal to each other, especially to one that is sick or injured.
Every hatch, every brood and broody is going to be a little different.

Ok, wonderful! I might do that. Just to try and help the scabs heal a little better.

Yes, I do have 2 broody hens both in the same coop but different boxes and although I have NEVER seen them fight it's not entirely out of the question. I do wonder now if maybe he was born with his wing and leg stuck to his body and maybe that is why he became a target.

Out of all the chick's we have had hatch whether through incubation or brood, I have never had any trouble, including no injured chicks. So this is a Learning experience for me and I figure the more information and advice I can get this time, It'll prepare me better for next time.

Do you think it's wise for me to put another chick in with him? I've had one hatch overnight in the incubator, someone did mention earlier that I should take a chick from the hen and place it in with him but I couldn't do that. Would this be helpful or hurtful?

Thanks again, for all your advice!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

It's worth a try putting a friend with him, he'd have another one to snuggle up with and also a buddy for when it's time to be integrated with the flock. A lone bird can have issues with integration, but having a friend to pal around with can be helpful.

If they don't get along, then you can always separate them, but I bet they will enjoy each other's company.

 

[Mel35]

It's worth a try putting a friend with him, he'd have another one to snuggle up with and also a buddy for when it's time to be integrated with the flock. A lone bird can have issues with integration, but having a friend to pal around with can be helpful.

If they don't get along, then you can always separate them, but I bet they will enjoy each other's company.

Loooove this! Last thing I want is for him to have integration issues aswell.

I am sure they will each be happy to have a friend. Might quieten down the chirping a little.