Fox bit chickens leg off

[Tmullerd]

Please help. I have had chickens for 14 years and never he anything like this happen. We bought some point of lay bantam hens today. I put them in a temporary run for the afternoon. With the idea of putting them in the roost overnight with my existing chicken. I went to them after dark and one of the chickens is covered in blood and missing one leg above the knee. But otherwise seems fine.
The bone is sticking out of the leg. I just don't know what to do. My daughter had decided this one was hers and will be devastated. The poor chicken must be in agony. What can be done? Could it survive? would it need surgery? Could it recover on its one? Do I just put it out of it's suffering? Am distraught.

 

[Painted Calls]

Is the vet an option?

Pictures would help. Hopefully some of the emergency experts will be by soon.

 

[ChickensAreEpic123]

Go to a vet ASAP

 

[pennyJo1960]

Can you post a photo please she will be able to live with one but

 

[Tmullerd]

Is the vet an option?

Pictures would help. Hopefully some of the emergency experts will be by soon.

I don't want to disturb it now to take pictures.
I bandaged the stump and it seems settled in a box indoors. Will it die of shock do you think? My husband pointed out there are loads of wild birds that have lost legs and survived.

 

[pennyJo1960]

Okay so get some triple anti biotic ointment no painkiller if she can make it through the night you may win.. change the bandage often and do not wrap to tight

 

[Painted Calls]

With exposed bone the odds of infection are huge. Chickens can live with one leg. They can't live with exposed bone though.

If the vet is an option, you should take her in as soon as possible.

 

[Painted Calls]

@Eggcessive @Wyorp Rock @azygous

 

[lbgreenfield]

Hi. I’m so sorry this happened to your hen.

I’d echo what others said, get to a vet if possible, ASAP.

For now, gently wash the wound with a mild soap (Dial or Dove). If you have Vetricyn (Found at Tractor Supply) or Betadine (found at drugstores), clean and spray the wound with either of those after washing. Cover the wound with Neosporin (no pain killer) or Vaseline, then gently wrap with non-stick gauze and VetWrap (or something similar). Wrap her in a warm towel and keep her somewhere quiet where you can observe her. You can also try to give her fluids and something easy to eat, like a scrambled egg or oatmeal or wet mash of baby bird food.

I would really try and find a vet to take her too ASAP to minimize the risk of infection and to take care of the protruding bone.

Good Luck!

 

[Tmullerd]

Whenever I've taken chickens to the vets in the past no vet locally seems to be experienced in chickens. Will that make a difference do you Think? Or is shortening the bone and sewing up the skin the same on any animal?