Euthanize?

[Jhs51684]

I had a chicken (8 to 10 weeks old) get trapped in between a small gap. It fell between a nesting box and chicken wire. When I pulled it out I noticed blood and underneath the wing was a bone sticking out about an inch. She seems to be walking around fine, but this bone looks to be too far out to push back in and I'm not sure what to do about it. This doesn't seem like something I will be able to remedy. Do I need to euthanize? Any advice would be a great help. Thank you

 

[piminuse]

Chickens are surprisingly durable creatures and you can find tons of threads of people nursing them back from the brink all the time. It might be too soon to determine if they should be euthanized quite yet.

I'd start with isolating the bird somewhere comfortable for her and easily accessible for you. Clean and sterilize the wound. If their condition improves in a few days and it starts to scab over you may be able to reintegrate and now you have a chicken with a cool story/scar. If they start to go down hill (you'll have to determine their quality of life at that point) then a quick end might be in order.

Best of luck and keep us updated.

 

[Jhs51684]

Thank you so much. I'm so grateful for how willing people are to help on this site. I've isolated her and I have first aid sprays (Vetericyn). Should I make an attempt to push the bone in at all? Thanks again!

 

[piminuse]

I would leave the bone as-is as you might hurt her more trying to do so. A quick google search on protruding wing bones shows that for a number of chickens they just sort of...pop back in. Not sure what kind of chicken healing magic this is, but right now I'd say hands-off the bone and just a bit f antibacterial ointment and TLC is the way to go.

Here's a promising thread for the meantime.

 

[Jhs51684]

The other thread was very helpful, thanks. I read that they wrapped their bird in gauze. When I do that, she cannot walk and just falls over. She looks very uncomfortable when wrapped. Her eyes glaze over and feet curl up. But, when I remove the wrap, she springs back up and walks well. Although, she pecks at her protruding bone, which worries me. I'm not sure whether I should keep her wrapped, or leave her be.

 

[piminuse]

The other thread was very helpful, thanks. I read that they wrapped their bird in gauze. When I do that, she cannot walk and just falls over. She looks very uncomfortable when wrapped. Her eyes glaze over and feet curl up. But, when I remove the wrap, she springs back up and walks well. Although, she pecks at her protruding bone, which worries me. I'm not sure whether I should keep her wrapped, or leave her be.

Sometimes it takes animals a moment to get used to something new and different like bandages. Case in point: ever put a cone on a dog/cat and the back up or fall over? It's unnatural, but she shouldn't be moving much anyhow. I use a crow collar (sssh I know it's decisive, but it works for us) and whenever we adjust our roo has his drama queen half hour of slumping and backing up and once he's accustomed to it again he perks right back up. Might be the same with the guaze. I would recommend keeping it covered to help prevent infection and the girl from hurting herself further.

 

[Jeanw]

Poor little girl, hope she pulls through!

 

[Jhs51684]

So she pulled through and is doing great. The only lingering effect would be her stature. She is a bit "crooked". But other than that, I'm glad she pulled through and will move forward healthy and happy. Thanks for all the help!!!

 

[piminuse]

Woohoo! That's awesome news!!

 

[micstrachan]

Wow! That’s quite a recovery!