Chick with injured leg?

[Nutcup]

tnchickymomma How is your Red? My Cochin "Pecker" hasn't improved that I can see. She still kicks her legs, but won't open her wings, cries when she's uncomfortable or has poop stuck in her feathers. She tries to preen around her neck & shoulders but can't seem to get much further. She will stand for awhile if I support her, but she can't keep her balance. She eats & drinks if the food is in the right place, but she doesn't like the electrolytes I added to the water. The other three don't seem to mind it ?? She is very alert, and often talks when she hears my or my wife's voice, and she loves to be held.

One of the Americanas is so sweet, she loves to be held and petted, and she is so pretty and smart. I feel for Pecker and hope she doesn't loose hope like we have been...

 

[Nutcup]

No replies, but it is a big deal to us. For anyone interested:

Pecker IS improving! Joanne thinks she never was sick, but she was injured when one of the other pullets jumped on her from their perch. I don't know; I'm sure she would have died without my hours of care. She still can't walk unless she's leaning on something. One leg still gives her problems, other than that she is very normal. She eats & drinks, talks, "purrs" when I hold her, stands and preens her wings and back. It's so gratifying and exciting to see her progress.

 

[Shabana]

So glad she's improving ! Maybe it was a broken pelvis ? These things can take months.
I take my hat off to you for sticking with her through it all, I've been there and sometimes you win and sometimes you loose but it can be pretty intense.

The bond tho that forms between you is truly a beautiful thing and as she recovers it will mostly likely remain between you which makes it all worth it.

I'm so pleased there's progress.
Good luck to you all xx

 

[tnchickymomma]

So glad to hear that Pecker is improving! I know how hard it is to be doing everything you can and not see any change.
My red is doing well all things considered. She is growing, eating and drinking well, very alert and social. But she is still having leg issues. We have a separate area fenced off for her in both the coop and run, so she can be out with her sisters and get lots of fresh air. Still putting B12 and electrolytes in her water. Her left leg is working great and she uses it to stand up and try to walk. But her right leg is still messed up. Her toes are curled up. She stands on the left leg and tries to walk normal with both, but because of the curled up toes can't balance well. I make a point to spend extended periods of time in the run where I take her out of her pen and let her be on her own with her flock. She holds her own quite well. Can move herself around pretty good, goes over to the feeder to eat with the other girls. The rest of the flock doesn't mess with her at all. And she won't put up with it anyway! One of my Buff Orpingtons learned that when she tried to have a bite of her cucumber spear today. Anyway, I think we are doing all we can be, I know these things can take months. As long as she is otherwise thriving, I am going to keep on truckin!

 

[Nutcup]

Pecker is doing very well in general. A few days ago I was doing something and she was in the bushes near me. Something I did made a "scary" noise and she came scurrying toward me - it was the funniest thing. She jacked herself up just enough to move about 3 feet on her "hands & knees". I cheered and praised her to see her move that fast. I've only seen her do that the once. Usually she stands taller and hobbles one or two steps and then sits back down. She's not as big as her sister Nellie, but she eats and drinks plenty. She spreads her wings now and can groom much better than before. She uses her wings to balance like a normal bird. But I know she wouldn't be able to make it up the ramp to get into the coop at night, or back down again.

Until recently I had to pile straw or items on both sides of her just to keep her upright. Now she balances very well on her own. At the rate she's been going I have hope that she'll turn back into a "normal" chicken soon. :>)

 

[Shabana]

I have a chicken called "pudding" she had a compound fracture around her ankle area which never got back to 100%. She lives a full life despite this.
She's able to move fast when running with food, able to get first dibs on any treats and able to get where she wants to be.
She sits to sleep, and to preen.
Her limp is very pronounced. But she and I have a very very long history.
She stayed in my house in my guest bedroom for over 6 months from being a chick when she was attacked by a rat.
She has watched tv with me. Eaten with me and played on the lawn with the family. And fallen asleep on my knee umpteen times.

Every morning she is by my side. When I've cleaned my coops and fed and watered everyone we have our special 5 mins.
She sits on my lap and we chat about stuff as the sun comes up.

She is now 3rd in command in her flock. It's hard to believe how far she has come.

All I can say is keep on going you're doing everything right
It might take a long time, perhaps months but you will have a feathery friend who will remember you and peace in your heart.

Best wishesx

 

[TheDownyChick]

My little 2 week old chick, Peanut, who was hatched by mama, has a sore, dangling leg she will not use. We noticed it Monday. It had not improved by Tuesday so we brought her in and gave her electrolytes and vitamins in her water and chick food. She was crying, so we brought in one of the mamas for her. (She and her sister were hatched by two hens who co-parent the chicks.) She, too, is alert, eating, drinking, & pooping just fine. She hops around, and spends lots of time under mama. I did not tape the leg. Should I? I do not want to harm her recovery at all. Is ot ok to have mama for comfort, or will that hinder her?

 

[Eggcessive]

My little 2 week old chick, Peanut, who was hatched by mama, has a sore, dangling leg she will not use. We noticed it Monday. It had not improved by Tuesday so we brought her in and gave her electrolytes and vitamins in her water and chick food. She was crying, so we brought in one of the mamas for her. (She and her sister were hatched by two hens who co-parent the chicks.) She, too, is alert, eating, drinking, & pooping just fine. She hops around, and spends lots of time under mama. I did not tape the leg. Should I? I do not want to harm her recovery at all. Is ot ok to have mama for comfort, or will that hinder her?

It's easier to get help by starting your own new thread--more people will see it that way. It sounds as though the leg could be paralyzed, and I would watch the broody to make sure that she does not peck it because sometimes mother hens will try to kill chicks who have something wrong with them. Here is the link to start your own thread: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forums/threads/add/forumId/10