Dog mauled one of my hens-can she survive?

[rod5591]

This is the 3rd day and I believe the dog broke one of the hens legs. She tries to stand and take a step but then her leg gives out and she is unable to continue forward. She then goes down, resting on her breast. Can a chicken recover from a broken leg? I don't even know if she can step forward to reach the water and food I have set out for her.

 

[Battlepants]

Did some quick research and it looks like you should be able to splint the leg using pop sickle sticks as a brace, then medical tape around it. If the break isn't too complex, this may bring the leg back to weight bearing (although the chicken will be moving slowly).

Here's an article that should help you out: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/how-to-treat-a-broken-leg.659231/

 

[rod5591]

She is eating and drinking now.

 

[Aunt Angus]

I was thinking about her. Glad she's eating and drinking again.

How is her leg? I'm wondering if it's maybe a bad sprain. Do you see swelling or discoloration? She may just need to rest for a while. And you can make her a sling/chair to keep weight off of it, if you think that's necessary.

 

[rod5591]

I was thinking about her. Glad she's eating and drinking again.

How is her leg? I'm wondering if it's maybe a bad sprain. Do you see swelling or discoloration? She may just need to rest for a while. And you can make her a sling/chair to keep weight off of it, if you think that's necessary.

Her left leg seems to be the one that is hurt. I hope it is just a sprain. I see no swelling or discoloration, but I don't have a full view of her leg. Tomorrow I will transfer her from the dog crate to a brooder, where she can have more room and rest on straw instead of cardboard. I will take a good look at her then. Thank you for your help!

 

[Soonermagic254]

Her left leg seems to be the one that is hurt. I hope it is just a sprain. I see no swelling or discoloration, but I don't have a full view of her leg. Tomorrow I will transfer her from the dog crate to a brooder, where she can have more room and rest on straw instead of cardboard. I will take a good look at her then. Thank you for your help!

Does the hen have a name? I hope she makes a full recovery.

 

[My Bagurks]

When you transfer her, see if you can spread her leg out. Take note if it’s regular motion or if she reacts. I hope you treated the wounds with something. Dog saliva can be pretty dirty. And dog jaws aren’t comfortable wether or not they broke the skin.
I have a hen that got attacked by at least one dog. Several deep puncture wounds on her back and comb was bloodied. I treated her wounds and they healed up pretty quickly. She was still bleeding in some but not a lot. I got her back in the coop that night and put her on top of the nesting boxes and gave her a dish of water. The next day she was still there. Had drank a little water but didn’t touch the food I left for her. Every day she improved a little and it took a month or two to start laying again but she made a full recovery.

Your hen it traumatized. But chickens are more resilient than we think. I think she will be fine. But be careful when you reintegrate her with the other chickens. Treat her like she’s brand new.

 

[rod5591]

Does the hen have a name? I hope she makes a full recovery.

I have too many hens to name, but she was one of my favorites, always following me around like a puppy!

 

[Soonermagic254]

I have too many hens to name, but she was one of my favorites, always following me around like a puppy!

How is she doing? Have you been able to get a better look at her leg yet?

 

[rod5591]

I am afraid she is doing worse now. She appears not to be eating or drinking again.

Her leg does not show any obvious trauma that I can see. yesterday she was eating and drinking well. Today she is just sitting there and not responding.