Chicken has a broken leg now what?

[chickenlover007]

My chicken broke her leg a while ago. I only noticed when she stopped walking. She is doing slightly better now. she kinda hop/flies short distances. I can't take her to the vet. I don't own her I just take care of her, but I have come to think of her as my pet. She sometimes lightly claws the ground with her bad leg but she never put weight on it. I've isolated her today and I give her food and water daily plus time out sitting in the grass. Is there anything I can do besides putting her down?

 

[Mmanist]

Is it healed? If not try to splint it. Put her in a small dog cage, to keep her weight off it and let it heal. I've seen people make little chicken slings to hold them off their legs. Maybe do a search on here to find it!

 

[LaFleche]

Poor thing. This looks like a bite wound leading to broken leg bone and some infection in the foot as well.

 

[chickenlover007]

Is it healed? If not try to splint it. Put her in a small dog cage, to keep her weight off it and let it heal. I've seen people make little chicken slings to hold them off their legs. Maybe do a search on here to find it!

I honestly have no idea if it's healed, I've never had this happen before. I'll try to splint it, she wont walk on the leg at all. I'll look into the sling

 

[chickenlover007]

Poor thing. This looks like a bite wound leading to broken leg bone and some infection in the foot as well.

So how would I fix that? any advice would be very very very appreciated.

 

[Mmanist]

I honestly have no idea if it's healed, I've never had this happen before. I'll try to splint it, she wont walk on the leg at all. I'll look into the sling

Any idea when she got hurt?

 

[LaFleche]

So how would I fix that? any advice would be very very very appreciated.

The wounds should be cleaned and disinfected, then apply some triple antibiotic ointment or antibiotic spray before splinting the leg on both sides, using some padding before wrapping it up with self-adhesive vet wrap.

If this is a dog or fox bite wound she should get antibiotic treatment as canine saliva carries nasty bacteria.

 

[chickenlover007]

The wounds should be cleaned and disinfected, then apply some triple antibiotic ointment or antibiotic spray before splinting the leg on both sides, using some padding before wrapping it up with self-adhesive vet wrap.

If this is a dog of fox bite wound she should get antibiotic treatment as canine saliva carries nasty bacteria.

Thank you so much! I'll try that.
also if i wanted to get antibiotic treatment where could I buy it? ( I have a very sweet dog, but on a few very rare occasions when he shows off to other people he will chase the chickens. I doubt it but it is a very likely possibility that it was him.)

 

[Shadrach]

I know many will disagree with me but imo the kindest thing to do is put her out of her misery.
If, you had splinted the leg well immediately after the break then there would have been a chance that the break would repair and more importantly, the nerves and tendons that will have been damaged by the break.
I don't know in what circumstances you keep your chickens, but here where they free range a broken leg is the end of the line.
My vet wont splint a broken leg on a chicken. In her opinion they rarely repair properly.
I'm sorry. It's not a very encouraging post but I think it's unrealistic to expect a full recovery, especially given you write it was a while ago.

 

[chickenlover007]

I know many will disagree with me but imo the kindest thing to do is put her out of her misery.
If, you had splinted the leg well immediately after the break then there would have been a chance that the break would repair and more importantly, the nerves and tendons that will have been damaged by the break.
I don't know in what circumstances you keep your chickens, but here where they free range a broken leg is the end of the line.
My vet wont splint a broken leg on a chicken. In her opinion they rarely repair properly.
I'm sorry. It's not a very encouraging post but I think it's unrealistic to expect a full recovery, especially given you write it was a while ago.

It is probably the best thing to do, yes. but i just can't pull the plug until I am absolutely sure she has nothing to gain by living. She seems happy, but I do know that chickens deal with pain differently. She is very perky. and sometimes when I put her out in the backyard, the other chickens come snuggle with her. In this particular flock the injured chicken has a sister. they used to be triplets but sadly we lost one about a year ago. I couldn't break up the last two sisters. It is my intention to keep the chickens well past their laying years, letting them free range until they peacefully pass away. If I can get her to the point when she can walk again, I will keep her. If she cant, I will do what needs to be done. I do not expect a full recovery, I only hope for the bare minimum. Thank you for your support and advice. I really appreciate it. I will keep everyone posted on her progress or lack thereof