Flew the coop, injured leg!

[suzabee]

First time chicken mom, first time posting! And I’ve already got chicken issues a few months into this!

On Friday evening, one our chickens, named Animal, flew out of the run (it had a 6” gap at the top that I was in the process of still completing). We found it 10ft away from the coop at night, huddled flat among the pile of firewood.

Since then, it has not put weight on the leg and has pretty much stayed inside the coop (I took it in to a dog crate for 24hrs to monitor it, and to make sure it could still eat and drink.)

The heel of the leg (where the bone meets the first muscles) is swollen and turned color from blue, green, and then yellow today. The back of the heel is still blue. I’ll try to post some pics of this.

I’m not sure if it’s sprained or broken. Animal seems to be eating and drinking, but only if the food is in the coop and directly next to her.

if anyone could please provide guidance and help, I would greatly appreciate it!

 

[suzabee]

Here are some of the pictures of the leg from over the weekend. The camera didn’t capture just how blue-green the skin of the leg was!

 

[Eggcessive]

Is a vet possible to get an xray? Does the bone look any different from the other (is it displaced?) It has to be sprained or severely bruised, but a fracture may also be possible. Keeping her confined to a dog crate or pen near food and water is a must. She can still be near the flock though. Splinting can sometimes cause more damage or swelling if you are unsure that it is broken. It can take 2-3 weeks for a sprain or fracture to heal.

 

[suzabee]

Is a vet possible to get an xray? Does the bone look any different from the other (is it displaced?) It has to be sprained or severely bruised, but a fracture may also be possible. Keeping her confined to a dog crate or pen near food and water is a must. She can still be near the flock though. Splinting can sometimes cause more damage or swelling if you are unsure that it is broken. It can take 2-3 weeks for a sprain or fracture to heal.

There is a vet who sees chickens and reptiles at the office I go to for my car and dog.

it’s so hard to tell if it’s dislocated or just swollen. Since I am a newbie, I really have nothing else to compare it to other than it’s right leg.

i have not splinted it or wrapped it.

 

[Eggcessive]

Perhaps snapping a picture of the chicken being held upright to see both legs might help to see if the legs look the same. Is the swelling right at the joint or just above or below?

 

[suzabee]

Perhaps snapping a picture of the chicken being held upright to see both legs might help to see if the legs look the same. Is the swelling right at the joint or just above or below?

Just snapped these pictures of the bum leg. I haven’t been able to get a shot like you suggested. The actual foot looks worse now, and I haven’t been able to check the heel today. When I did check earlier, it looked like it was swollen at the joint itself.

I feel so horrible for having this happen.