Chick with broken leg at knee Please Help!

[ChickenCanoe]

Probably chopping the head off is the fastest for a chick.

Chickens endure pain differently. I'm sure it hurts but regular doses of aspirin may not be necessary.
Sometimes things like that get worse before they get better as swelling and related issues increase. If she doesn't seem in too much agony, I'd give it a couple more days.

A sling is a really good idea if you can make one she won't get out of. Something to support the whole body with holes for the legs and suspended.

 

[ahwhite]

Probably chopping the head off is the fastest for a chick.

Chickens endure pain differently. I'm sure it hurts but regular doses of aspirin may not be necessary.
Sometimes things like that get worse before they get better as swelling and related issues increase. If she doesn't seem in too much agony, I'd give it a couple more days.

A sling is a really good idea if you can make one she won't get out of. Something to support the whole body with holes for the legs and suspended.

Thank you so much for the advice! That is what we did with the sling, copying other designs made in Rubbermaid boxes. She keeps hopping out though, using her wings as leverage. Any ideas how to keep her in?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Perhaps something on top of her to hold her down. With free access to feed and water, it may settle her down.
Also, keeping her in a dark place will help. Perhaps only 7 hours of light a day.

 

[getreal]

Here's a pic of the slings I've made out of PVC pipe. I use a paper face mask on top of the first silkie cuz she keeps getting out. I just attached to the sides with clamps. If you would a better pic I can post it empty.

 

[getreal]

Here's a pic of the slings I've made out of PVC pipe. I use a paper face mask on top of the first silkie cuz she keeps getting out. I just attached to the sides with clamps. If you would a better pic I can post it empty.

Pic helps...

 

[ahwhite]

Here's a pic of the slings I've made out of PVC pipe. I use a paper face mask on top of the first silkie cuz she keeps getting out. I just attached to the sides with clamps. If you would a better pic I can post it empty.

Wow getreal, that looks super professional.

I don't quite have those skills or materials...this is the best I could do through improvisation...

Does it look OK? She is super sweet and doesn't complain about anything. Shes just happy to get some yogurt in her food. Hoping for a miracle, but preparing to wait until about Wed. to decide if she needs to be put down.

 

[getreal]

ty, yours looks fine. as long as they can eat it's good. I started out with one like that. I had a silkie who was paralysed in both legs. had him in house since Nov. he passed away yesterday. I probably should have culled him but he wasn't in pain so he was my lil indoor baby. so I kept trying to make the sling a little better. I just used a piece of pvc pipe hubby had laying around and some fittings.trial and error. the biggest problem was the poop. I solved that by cutting slit in the fabric and pinning a plastic bag there. it worked most of the time. LOL

 

[ahwhite]

Wanted to post an update...our girl seems to be doing great! After about 5 days we started giving her outdoor time with her sisters, but bringing her back inside (she was so mad!) After a week we cut her cast off, and let her sleep out there. I thought for sure her leg was completely dead, but noticed after a couple days that she was moving her toes! She does not seem to be able to grip really well with her toes, but she puts weight on her leg and seems to get around fine, if not a little slow. She still holds it close to her body but I have seen her stretch it out just like all of them do. No one seems to be picking on her more than any other chick. I'm amazed!


Here she is on the end just one of the gals!

 

[hayls1812]

Wow this is an amazing story I’m so pleased that she recovered.

So.. 2 days ago I found one of my hens on the floor in the rain and when I went to her she never moved, she seems to have a broken leg at the knee joint, she’s not moving her toes and the lower leg just wobbles from side to side. I have tried stretching it out incase it was just dislocated but nothing helped. My hen is around 5 years old, she’s a good lawyer and a brilliant sitter, Hatcher & mum so I really want to give her the best chance of recovery.. can someone advise the best way you splint it ? Is it like I’ve seen above at a near right angle? I was thinking of strapping it up under her so she doesn’t catch it on anything but then would it heal up under her and never stretch down? PLEASE HELP!
She’s in her own hutch in lots of straw and laid an egg yesterday so she can’t be in too much distress. I have vetwrap etc as I have horses and am used to bandaging.