Dislocated/broken knee in rooster - can I do anything to help

[coneal]

My bantam rooster got kicked accidentally and now has a dislocated or broken knee joint. His foot is hanging and swings when I move him. It is at the joint between the metatarsus and tibia. Is there a way to tell if it is dislocated or broken? If it is dislocated, is there a way to put it back in?

I have him separated and will provide supportive care but if I can help get the joint back in place, I'd like to try.

Thank you!

 

[untamed_spirit]

I'm not sure how you can tell if its broken or dislocated yourself, certainly with veterinary assistance you would be able to tell. Sorry I couldn't be of more help.

 

[Lady_Cluck]

I think a trip to the vet is the best thing that you can do.

But if that's not an option, I once had a rooster that somehow jumped down from a perch and in the process hooked his spur in the chicken wire that seperated the pen from the rest of the barn, which broke his leg (I think -- I never went to the vet, so I don't know for sure). After I untangled him from the wire, his leg was hanging and he could not stand or even move well. I didn't know what else to do so I put him in a small cage filled with straw that restricted his movement; he had food and water within reach of his beak. I didn't think he would make the night as he didn't look too good, but he did. He was eating and drinking ok, so every night afterwards I would take him out for a little "physical therapy" to see if he could stand and to check for infection or swelling (there never was any). But during these little sessions he would just sink back to the ground and sit there, so back to the cage he would go. After a few weeks when I would take him out he started to hobble forward a little bit. And a little bit more. Each night he made a little more progress. And then eventually he could stand on his leg again. Then he started walking again, made a full recovery, and was back to chasing the hens around the barnyard.

He was one lucky bird. I only gave him supportive care and he did the rest.

Best of luck to your bird, and welcome to BYC!

 

[Hoosiermomma]

I agree with the previous post.. a trip to the vet is warranted. If for whatever reason you can't, could you post some pics of the injury? It sounds like it's broke to me but if you could post a pic we could give you a better idea. Good luck....

 

[coneal]

Thanks for the replies. I've determined it is broken about halfway up the thigh. I've splinted it and he's in a cage in the house. He ate and drank very well today. We're just going to baby him for a few weeks and see how it heals.

 

[Rocky Top Chick]

I have a healing broken leg on one of my girls as we speak. She broke it about three weeks ago, became infected (foot) and we treated. She is doing much better now. My mistake was wraping the splint too tight. After infection set in she was on Pen G for 5 days and now she is looking much better. However, it has taken all of this three weeks for her leg to begin to knit back together. We were afraid of amputation, but still have hope she will fully recover. I received lots of help from purpletree 23.

Good Luck

 

[untamed_spirit]

Good luck