Chicken with broken leg

[cbourbeau32]

When I went out to check our chickens this evening I noticed one sitting in the dirt inside the coop while the rest of them were either on the roost or getting ready to roost. I picked her up and noticed that one of her legs is broken either right at the knee (if that is what it is called on a chicke) or just above the knee. Is this something that can be immobilized and will heal or is the only alternative to put her down? Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks, Charlie

 

[sylviethecochin]

Can you describe the break? Is it a compound or a simple break? Is anything breaking the skin, does the knee bend wrong, etc?

Can you post a picture?

I only have experience with simple breaks below knee level, but if you describe the conditions, it may help others offer advice.

I believe @Egghead_Jr has experience with a broken knee (If I got the wrong person, sorry.)

@casportpony , @Ravynscroft ,@WVduckchick , or @Wyorp Rock may be able to help, they're usually pretty knowledgeable.

 

[WVduckchick]

Definitely separate her first, and put her in a warm, dark location to keep her calm. Warmth will help with any shock/trauma.

A picture would definitely help if you can get one. Any idea how it may have happened? Dog, predator, fall?

Do you have any vet-wrap? It might be possible to set and get to heal, if you want to try.

 

[cbourbeau32]

I can only say that it swings freely at the knee (no resistance when moving the leg back and forth).

No visible injuries.

 

[Ravynscroft]

Are you certain it is broken?

 

[mesafox101]

you think you can take a picture?

remove her from the flock and see if she is in pain if so think if she is in so much pain it affects her life to the point where she cant do anything any more or if she will get better

also it might not be broken.

 

[casportpony]

Can you post some pictures of it?

 

[cbourbeau32]

I don't think pictures are necessary now. The kids and I went back out and after further investigation she has a broken leg above the knee as you can feel the fracture (not compound) so I set it as best as I could and taped it pretty heavily. She is separated from the flock in a nice warm hay bed with food and water within her reach so she doesn't have to move. I guess this is about all I can do correct? How long till it sets up or is a break like this the end of her?

 

[sylviethecochin]

Try making something like this sling so that she doesn't have any weight on the leg. It should help. The splint should remain for 2 weeks, at the least. Supplement her water with D3, A vitamin B complex and calcium--There may be other vitamins.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

I used a popsicle stick for splint. Crush aspirin into her drinking water to reduce swelling and relieve pain.

If it's an actual break above the knee she should walk fine afterwards. Mine was at the joint, knowing it would heal stiff kept leg slightly bent in splint.