Dislocated toe?

[AlexEve]

This evening I brought one of my hens out of the coop for my little sister to play with. We sometimes play a game where we gently toss the bird, and once she lands she comes back for another toss (very sure the birds enjoy it). However today I tossed one hen a little too high, and she had a hard landing. A few minutes later I noticed her middle toe was bent, and when inspecting up close i popped it back into place with a little push. She is walking fine with zero limp, and the toe is only slightly off center now. When I picked her up the toe kind of unpopped itself again, but could go right back to normal. Will she be ok, or should I make a splint of sorts for the toe? She’s already lost half a toe on the same foot, I’d feel horrible if she had to live life with a 2 1/2 toed foot. Any help would be great, thanks.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

You can try splinting to see if that helps. It may atleast stabilize it.
I'm not sure if it will heal back straight. I had a hen break a toe (I actually saw it happen). I taped it, but it was still a bit crooked. Didn't seem to bother her though.

You may want to consider playing another game with your chickens

Here's a splinting manual.
https://theiwrc.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Duerr_Splinting_Manual_2010.pdf

 

[AlexEve]

You can try splinting to see if that helps. It may atleast stabilize it.
I'm not sure if it will heal back straight. I had a hen break a toe (I actually saw it happen). I taped it, but it was still a bit crooked. Didn't seem to bother her though.

You may want to consider playing another game with your chickens

Here's a splinting manual.
https://theiwrc.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Duerr_Splinting_Manual_2010.pdf

I’m wondering if it’s possible to make a splint for just the single toe? I’m guessing it’d be less intrusive on her walking. And yea, my little sister is done with the game now that this incident has happened

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I’m wondering if it’s possible to make a splint for just the single toe? I’m guessing it’d be less intrusive on her walking. And yea, my little sister is done with the game now that this incident has happened

You can try just the one toe, but likely it won't stay on very well.
It's been a few years since I taped up my hen's toe, I think I ended up having to wrap the foot in order to keep the toe somewhat stabilized and the tape to stay on.

Do keep in mind, you want to tape/splint pretty soon, don't wait a few days then try to realign it, they mend pretty quickly.

 

[AlexEve]

You can try just the one toe, but likely it won't stay on very well.
It's been a few years since I taped up my hen's toe, I think I ended up having to wrap the foot in order to keep the toe somewhat stabilized and the tape to stay on.

Do keep in mind, you want to tape/splint pretty soon, don't wait a few days then try to realign it, they mend pretty quickly.

I’ll do it tomorrow morning, shes just about to go to bed so I don’t want to keep her up. Hopefully if it partially heals overnight the curved shape of the roost will help. Here’s a pic of the toe I managed to take, you can see the slight bend about 2/3 down the digit (middle toe, right foot). Side toe is unrelated, lost over the winter

 

[my gang eats grass]

I splint one toe on my chickens all the time, put a stick on either side and wrap it with bandage tape. It should stay on pretty good if you do it tight enough.

 

[AlexEve]

I splint one toe on my chickens all the time, put a stick on either side and wrap it with bandage tape. It should stay on pretty good if you do it tight enough.

Is a toothpick good enough, or is it too thin?

 

[my gang eats grass]

Is a toothpick good enough, or is it too thin?

It's not the best, but it might work. Popsicle sticks or something like that would be much better. I usually just break a couple of thin twigs to the right length.

 

[AlexEve]

Alright after a week and a half the toe is fine. I didn’t put a splint on it because it still looked straight, and never swelled up or anything. She’s all good now