Five-month old Australorp suddenly lame. Update: Now another pullet going lame!

[azygous]

Yes, @dawg53 it has occurred to me a fracture could be possible. She strokes her foot and her shank as a dog would lick a sore leg.

I wonder how long a fracture would require to heal.

 

[TwoCrows]

Yes, @dawg53 it has occurred to me a fracture could be possible. She strokes her foot and her shank as a dog would lick a sore leg.

I wonder how long a fracture would require to heal.

Puppies with bone fractures take about 4 weeks to heal, older dogs 6 weeks. I would imagine its similar in chickens? She might need to be caged for a month to keep her more quiet.

 

[ackie]

stupid website not giving me notifications

 

[dawg53]

IF there is a "break' in her leg, perhaps you can feel it. However you wouldnt feel a hairline fracture. Only an x-ray would detect it.

 

[Eggcessive]

I wasn't aware. That would be a terrific thing to take advantage of. What does RAL stand for so I can contact them.

Sorry, I forgot to include this link for them:
http://www.vetdna.com/application/forms/aviansubmittalform.pdf

 

[azygous]

May is now in an escape-proof hot pen. Besides figuring out how to get out of the hot box, she and her mates were tearing the cardboard box apart with their busy beaks. So I fenced off a corner of the run with steel fencing all the way to the ceiling with a low access panel that swings out. Engineering it was child's play. Constructing it in barely above freezing temps required dedication, determination, resolve, and a lot of love. Since May will likely need this small footprint to keep her under the heat lamp, something more durable than a cardboard box was called for.

She definitely was more energetic today. She even stepped out of the run while I was working on the hot pen. Maybe this will trend.

 

[TwoCrows]

May is now in an escape-proof hot pen. Besides figuring out how to get out of the hot box, she and her mates were tearing the cardboard box apart with their busy beaks. So I fenced off a corner of the run with steel fencing all the way to the ceiling with a low access panel that swings out. Engineering it was child's play. Constructing it in barely above freezing temps required dedication, determination, resolve, and a lot of love. Since May will likely need this small footprint to keep her under the heat lamp, something more durable than a cardboard box was called for.

She definitely was more energetic today. She even stepped out of the run while I was working on the hot pen. Maybe this will trend.View attachment 2444579

Very nice enclosure for her, looks like a perfect place to heal.

 

[Allsfairinloveandbugs]

I read through this entire thread just as i did the original thread involving Su-Su and her brood. Am posting here ONly so i will be notified of future updates. Took note of all the expert posters offering their advice. And therefore know that little May is in the care of the most knowledgeable people that backyardchickens forum has to offer. No chicken in the whole World could ask for more than that.

 

[ValerieJ]

Ditto. I just read this whole thread too, and was following the Nanny Hen thread. I sure don't have anything to add to the expert advice you have received here, but I do want to add a word of encouragement. Trying everything you can think of is my way of handling mystery problems with chickens. I had one girl sick for nearly the entire last year. I thought I'd lose Queen Bee several times for many months, but now she is the picture of health. I'm so happy I didn't give up.

Hoping with all my heart that May will recover and be an active member of your flock soon!!

 

[azygous]

Afternoon update. May is doing pretty well considering it's freezing cold with snow threatening. She and her Nanny-nurse Susu have been planted under the heat lamp all day with the other pullets sharing the heat most of the time. So the little patient has plenty of support and company.

You can see she favors the right leg and doesn't like to put that foot down.