Golden Comet chick - foot injury

[janeinboise]

We have a half grown golden comet (sexlink) hen that disappeared for about 36 hours and then returned with a foot injury. She had wandered out of the enclosed back yard with another chick that was was killed (I think by a cat). We searched for hours but were unable to locate "Lippy", finally presuming that the cat had carried her away. Seems unlikely as she is not that small any longer. 36 hours later, she was at the back gate looking nervous and hungry. Obviously she was hunkered down hiding for a day and a half.

My question is: It appears that her center toe on right foot is either broken or dislocated at the main joint where it appears swollen and bruised. She gets around fine, keeps up with the others, eats and drinks as normal, but has a limp, and definitely favors that foot, lifting it to relieve the weight very often. Do we just let it heal as is, and she may be gimpy, but will eventually just outgrow it? Or what? Any other ideas? Other than the sore foot she appears to be fine. She was the leader of the 'peep pack' before this experience and is slowly resuming that role.

Thanks.

 

[chickenzoo]

It will set on it's own if broken, if dislocated you can try putting it back, and it may bother her from time to time but she should be fine. I have a roo with the middle toe of both feet broken and set inward. He does just fine.