Chicken attacked, can't stand up, recoverable???

[MA Mama]

He only has one puncture wound, from what I can see. There wasn't a tremendous amount of blood, but it was hard to tell because the blood was dried and caked in the feathers. The wound isn't bleeding and doesn't look like it will be a problem. However, the chicken is dragging the leg on that side of his body. Actually, he can't stand at all, but when I try to help him prop himself up on the "good" leg, the bad leg is completely limp. He does not grip with the foot, either. He ate a teeny bot of bread this morning (I found him at dusk last night) and he took an even teenier amount of water. He isn not trying to move at all, he just sits. He seems to be alert, however is isn't acting afraid of the dogs or kids. He just kind of sits there and looks around. I have cleaned the wound as best I can, and put antibiotic on it. I put Sulmet in the water (its all I have in the house). What else can I do? In your experience, have you seen birds come out of this type of daze? In your experience, how long does it take to get back on ones legs? THANKS IN ADVANCE!

 

[oliv]

hi
so you cleaned the wound and treated with anti b, thats good.. the type of creature that attacked him changes his outlook in regards to infection.. cats are bad and that anti b will be important. as for the injury its self, i just posted a reply to an 8 week old chicken attack, check that out and see if it helps.. you need to establish whether your chicken has a break or fracture etc. and as for overall out look, chicks are funny things some are fighters and some just give up in a chickens case it really depends on the animal itself, but yes they can come out of the daze if the other conditions are right. warm, good, food, no stress..and treat accordingly.
the age of chick and position of wound on leg might help me a bit..
let me know if you need more help,
best of luck.
olive.

 

[MA Mama]

He is about 11 weeks old. The wound is somewhat on his flank, under the wing but not close to where the wing hits the body. It's above the leg that won't move. It's about the size of a pencil eraser. I have NO idea what got him, but it was daytime so I am thinking hawk versus coyote or other nocternal animal. I found him in an wooded area where they are clearing a lot, so there is lots of activity. I can't see a wild 4-legged animal attacking him near that activity, during the day. I just don't know what would cause 1 puncture wound versus 2 or 4. What is weird, too, is that he is brown and blends in very well with our groundcover. I have white chickens, too, so I don't see why a hawk would go for him, not them. Bottom line - I have no idea what got him. I think the damage is too much for a cat. The dragging leg seems REALLY serious, it seems paralyzed, actually.

I am going to go read your other post now... THANKS!

 

[oliv]

ok, so i get the impression then that the wound is on the outside upper leg and that it doesn't have a friend on the inside upper leg, usually, like you surmised there will be two and there are a lot of nerves on the inside leg. (I'm trying to establish weather your chick was picked up and shaken) if its not particularly deep then the main possibilities are these.. there is another wound somewhere underneath the feathers, if there is any chance of this get the scissors out and cut (about 1/2 to 2/3 down the shaft, be carefull of growing feathers they bleed when cut) all the matted feathers away until you find it. check for nerve response, if you are very sure about lack of extra wound, have a really good feel around the 'hip' joint on both the left and right moving it in different directions searching for any discrepancies (searching for fracture) this is possible.. see what you come up with and get back to me if you want.
good luck.
olive

 

[MA Mama]

I did look extensively last night, but I will look again. Although I did NOT look inside the leg, however no blood was visible anywhere else at all. The wound appears to be just a tear in the actual skin. I have never had a hurt chicken before, so my judgement may be off, but it seems like the underlying flesh isn't affected. Unfortunately I am at work until 3! I'll be getting back to you tonight...

 

[oliv]

so the vet is best and if you can you should take her but, check the inside of the leg right up in the groove where it meets the body, just to make sure there's not another wound. if not do the nerve test where you pinch between the toes, (do it on both legs so you get an idea what should happen) there might not be any movement but she might make a sound/reaction.. no movement, sound/reaction present means injury fracture, tendon.. no movement no sound/reaction means nerve damage, continue with anti b' whatever the result (five days should do it), keep her warm,small darkish box( but so she can still see to eat, not too much movement) a fracture will need strapping, nerve /tendons and you wait it out, it can take a while to heal maybe never completely but there should be some improvement within a week, have an extensive feel for break..
i had a chicken come in last week with two compound fractures between the 'knee' and 'hip' there was no external wound but the breaks were terrible, slid past each other and nearly through the skin, the very kind people had strapped the leg between the knee and the foot not a good result for the chicken. so the trick is look for discrepancy both legs should feel the same, take your time. and if their is a break.. off to the vet..

the best result you can hope for is a dulled pain reaction with a 'pulling up of the leg, that means it'll will probably be fine with time..
keep me posted and bet of luck

 

[oliv]

p.s last year we found one of my chickens of about the same age stuck between the aviary wall and a perch, she had obviously fallen and become wedged for hours, we stuck her in a box, kept her clean, fed and warm and three days later the movement started to come back, two weeks later and she was fine.. we now call her crumpet the trumpet cause she makes such a fuss when she comes inside.. also two months ago, a goanna (large tooth lizard) forced itself into the broody cage and grabbed my australorp around the leg, there was much blood and bandaging but once again, anti b's,warm darkish box, tastey treats and recovery time she is now almost fine.. there was some nerve damage and her toes aren't quite as quick as they used to be but other than a slight limp. fine.
)

 

[MA Mama]

When you say anti-b for 5 days, what specifically? On the wound? The Sulmet in the water?

 

[MA Mama]

Meant to add.... THANK YOU SO MUCH!

 

[oliv]

on the wound for 2 to 3, anti b's for five (i hope they're animal antis and to be honest i dont know what sulmet is we dont have it over here im hoping its some kind of electrolyte or supplement you put in her water