- May 25, 2011
- 4
- 0
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I'm hoping for some advice. We had a sad accident happen the other day to our poor Polish, Lincoln. Our gate post suddenly failed and the gate fell over on her, very fast and hard. She was hit by the heaviest part of the gate, the wooden frame. She was obviously very injured, not able to support weight on her left leg, and also in terrible shock. Also, the blunt force popped her developing egg right out of her.
After I held her for a long time, she seemed to revive a bit. So I was hopeful that it was a only broken leg (I've successfully nursed a chicken through a broken leg).
Unfortunately, it's almost two days now, and she seems like she's in decline. She can support no weight at all on her left leg, so I fear that the break is either the femur or pelvis. If I put her on her feet, she can stand on the good leg, but after a minute she will sink right down and go to sleep. She sleeps all the time. I've been giving her water (with Arnica) with a dropper and yogurt/baby food. Yesterday she would drink and eat only if I put it on her beak. Today, it's hard to get her to wake up enough. She had one normal looking poop yesterday (no blood), but today it was a real mess, with some very black stuff in there (dried blood?). If she has internal injuries, how would I know?
I know she must be in incredible pain. I can't afford to take her to the vet. Do I give her a few days of intensive care, or should I help her on her way? She is my son's much beloved chicken, so I'm inclined to give her the benefit of the doubt, but I hate to think that she's suffering. She's only three years old, so I'd love to give her more life if possible. If I have to help her on her way, any suggestions?
Thank you.
After I held her for a long time, she seemed to revive a bit. So I was hopeful that it was a only broken leg (I've successfully nursed a chicken through a broken leg).
Unfortunately, it's almost two days now, and she seems like she's in decline. She can support no weight at all on her left leg, so I fear that the break is either the femur or pelvis. If I put her on her feet, she can stand on the good leg, but after a minute she will sink right down and go to sleep. She sleeps all the time. I've been giving her water (with Arnica) with a dropper and yogurt/baby food. Yesterday she would drink and eat only if I put it on her beak. Today, it's hard to get her to wake up enough. She had one normal looking poop yesterday (no blood), but today it was a real mess, with some very black stuff in there (dried blood?). If she has internal injuries, how would I know?
I know she must be in incredible pain. I can't afford to take her to the vet. Do I give her a few days of intensive care, or should I help her on her way? She is my son's much beloved chicken, so I'm inclined to give her the benefit of the doubt, but I hate to think that she's suffering. She's only three years old, so I'd love to give her more life if possible. If I have to help her on her way, any suggestions?
Thank you.
