Chicken with some sort of leg injury?

[Brothsoup]

So about two hours ago I had found one of my family’s chickens outside of her coop, she was on the ground quite a ways away just laying there. She had escaped either during or after our coop got attacked at some point this morning. She rarely puts pressure on it and when she does she just ends up falling over. There’s no obvious breaks from what I can tell, no cuts blood bites, her right toes are curled up, and it’s almost like her right leg gone limp? It’s the best way I can describe it. She’s eating some, can’t tell if she’s drank any. I’m not familiar with chicken sounds and their meaning but when she breaths out every couple breaths she’ll make almost a sad squeaky toy sound. Overall I’m just trying to figure out how to move forward in deciding what to do for her while still being humane. Thank you.

 

[Eggcessive]

Can you see a vet for an xray? It sounds like she could have fractured her leg or might have some nerve damage. Watch for any swelling, green bruising, open wound, or redness on the skin. I would place her in a dog crate near food and water, and make sure that she can get it. Keep her separated to force rest of the leg, so she doesn’t jump up to a roost or run. If she limps others may try to attack her.

 

[pinewoodacres]

If she's eating and drinking, I would let it go till morning. Check her before bed and see if she's able to get up on her roost as that can tell you how much pain she's in and what kind of damage there might be.

I don't like the breath sounds you describe, but I wouldn't cull immediately. She may die overnight, I've had that happen to ones that were sickly or injured when I was taking a "wait and see" approach. I would inspect her for any obvious injuries to her torso that could be affecting her air sacs.

The leg issue sounds like a slipped tendon possibly, but could be a break. I had one with a probable broken thigh that I was hoping would heal. She never stopped limping and I finally put her down and cut her open to take a look. She had a giant clot there (I didn't cut deep enough to see a break as I was pressed for time).

All that to say, wait and see but don't wait too long if it becomes clear she is suffering.

 

[Brothsoup]

Can you see a vet for an xray? It sounds like she could have fractured her leg or might have some nerve damage. Watch for any swelling, green bruising, open wound, or redness on the skin. I would place her in a dog crate near food and water, and make sure that she can get it. Keep her separated to force rest of the leg, so she doesn’t jump up to a roost or run. If she limps others may try to attack her.

Seeing a vet is unfortunately not an option for us. She is set up in a dog crate, she’s got food and water as well as heat. Is there anything else I can do for her?

 

[Eggcessive]

How old is she, and was she vaccinated for Mareks? I would continue to observe her. A chicken sling might be something to try if she cannot get up to eat and drink. But some chickens will try to get out of them if one leg works well, and may injure themselves. I would not let her jump to the roost, since she could cause more damage or fall. Here is a good link about slings, especially posts 5, 11, and 12:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/versions-of-chick-chairs-please.1166308/

 

[Brothsoup]

How old is she, and was she vaccinated for Mareks? I would continue to observe her. A chicken sling might be something to try if she cannot get up to eat and drink. But some chickens will try to get out of them if one leg works well, and may injure themselves. I would not let her jump to the roost, since she could cause more damage or fall. Here is a good link about slings, especially posts 5, 11, and 12:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/versions-of-chick-chairs-please.1166308/

I believe she’s about five months old. I’m not sure if she was vaccinated or not, my mom usually handles all of the chicken related things but I’ll be sure to ask when I can. Thank you for the sling idea as well as a response.

 

[Eggcessive]

Did your coop get attacked this morning, or did you suspect that when you found her? At her age, Mareks might be a possibility, but a nerve injury can also look similar. Let us know how she is doing tomorrow. Just for info, here is an article about Mareks disease:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq.66077/

 

[Brothsoup]

Did your coop get attacked this morning, or did you suspect that when you found her? At her age, Mareks might be a possibility, but a nerve injury can also look similar. Let us know how she is doing tomorrow. Just for info, here is an article about Mareks disease:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq.66077/

It got attacked this morning, whatever broke in killed three of our other chickens unfortunately. Thanks for the article, I look into it as well as give an update tomorrow.

 

[Eggcessive]

Okay, then, it is probably an injury, and not Mareks. Sorry that you lost your other chickens. Do you know how they got in? Are there any openings in the coop where something could get in? What did the bodies look like?

 

[Brothsoup]

Okay, then, it is probably an injury, and not Mareks. Sorry that you lost your other chickens. Do you know how they got in? Are there any openings in the coop where something could get in? What did the bodies look like?

Sorry for the late reply- They got in through the door of our outdoor dog kennel we have attached for more space. The door didn’t latch all the way and so the culprit took the opportunity to grab the hens that weren’t quick enough to go up to the top part of our coop. Most of the bodies were intact, just snapped necks. One of them had been torn open but not eaten. We believe it was a badger or a weasel. Unfortunately whatever had attacked them came back yesterday and finished the job by tearing off the wire on our coop.. The hen I had made the post about originally is still alive because she had been moved into our garage away from the others. She’s doing a lot better, she’s more aware, drinking, eating, just not bearing any weight on her ankle.