Frost bite or broken toe

[weelilghosty]

Notice this little gal (3 months) not eating with everyone else. Brought her inside to warm her up and give food and water. Figured since she was smaller than the rest she was getting bullied. Noticed her feet. The picture makes it look darker than it actually is. But the one toe is definitely swollen and crooked. Is this frostbite or just a broken toe. There are no open wounds. She is smaller than the rest of her sisters and I feel that she is also underweight. Which could be due to her not eating for two days. She was only pecking at the scratch in the ground away from main feeder. I initially didn’t see a problem because they all normally take turns with the feeder and what goes on ground. Pic of feet and her sitting down.

 

[Razzlefrazzle]

How cold is it where you are? How does the bottom of her foot look? Are you sure her toe wasn't crooked before? Does the injured foot feel hot or cold compared to the other one?

I haven't dealt with frostbite myself, but if the other foot is totally fine I think it's more likely an injury. That being said, the middle toe on the hurt foot looks darker to me which would be a sign of it not getting enough blood flow, which can happen from a bad injury, but from the picture that toe looks otherwise fine.

 

[weelilghosty]

How cold is it where you are? How does the bottom of her foot look? Are you sure her toe wasn't crooked before? Does the injured foot feel hot or cold compared to the other one?

I haven't dealt with frostbite myself, but if the other foot is totally fine I think it's more likely an injury. That being said, the middle toe on the hurt foot looks darker to me which would be a sign of it not getting enough blood flow, which can happen from a bad injury, but from the picture that toe looks otherwise fine.

We dropped down to -6 f. However they have heat in the coop, no snow and ice in the run, also have one side of run blocked off so wind isn’t a big problem. Toe wasn’t crooked before and bottom of feet look decent. I’m wondering if she didn’t get stepped on? Not sure how else she could break a toe… None of my other chickens have any oddities or wounds and figured if frostbite was an issue, others would have signs also.

 

[Razzlefrazzle]

Not sure how else she could break a toe…

Chickens aren't the most graceful creatures. When startled or trying to escape from a bully hen they can trip or catch their toes on things. I had a chicken catch her toe in wire of her run once when she was impatient to get out and flew up straight into it.

Is she eating and drinking ok now? Want to make sure it's just an isolated foot injury and no other sickness.

 

[weelilghosty]

Chickens aren't the most graceful creatures. When startled or trying to escape from a bully hen they can trip or catch their toes on things. I had a chicken catch her toe in wire of her run once when she was impatient to get out and flew up straight into it.

Is she eating and drinking ok now? Want to make sure it's just an isolated foot injury and no other

She is inside the house and eating and drinking just fine. No sneezing, wheezing, coughs, stool looks normal. I did bring another of my smaller hens inside with her once I decided she had no cold symptoms. Having the other hen has perked her up a bit. The other hen has been very attentive to the injured hen. I’m watching the toes today and they do seem to be getting darker. Might be frostbite along with the broken toe. Is there any treatment for that?

 

[Razzlefrazzle]

She is inside the house and eating and drinking just fine. No sneezing, wheezing, coughs, stool looks normal. I did bring another of my smaller hens inside with her once I decided she had no cold symptoms. Having the other hen has perked her up a bit. The other hen has been very attentive to the injured hen. I’m watching the toes today and they do seem to be getting darker. Might be frostbite along with the broken toe. Is there any treatment for that?

Glad to hear she is doing well. You could give her a warm (not hot) epsom salt foot bath, but mostly I think you;ll just have to watch and wait. Badly damaged tissue will turn black and fall off, she might even lose a couple toes. Chickens can often survive these types of injuries on their own, but keep an eye out for signs of additional infection or if it looks like more of her foot is starting to die beyond the injured toes (in which case I'd take her to a vet).

 

[Razzlefrazzle]

Hope your girl is recovering okay?