HELP!!!!! chick with leg open*I DID IT* another update* bad news :(

[BarkerChickens]

If the foot is going back, I doubt you'll be able to salvage the leg, but please note that I am not a vet. As much as I prefer doing everything I can to save a limb, chicken, etc., I think your best bet is amputate. If you don't, you run the risk of a serious infection with gangrene or something else. If amputated properly and kept clean, etc while healing, the chick can learn to live on the one foot. He/she won't be able to get around fast, so definitely make sure that the coop/run are secure from predators, but the chick should be able to live a normal life. Your local vet may be willing to amputate it properly if you don't think you can.

Good luck!

 

[Luke0987654321]

thank you so much!
ok
i am very willing to amputate it my self,
but, i need instructions of how to do it,
luke.

 

[Luke0987654321]

anyone?

 

[jeremy]

I would cull the chick, it's going to have a very hard time in life with only 1 leg. Just my opinion, sorry.

 

[TinaK]

hi luke. Horrible situation that you have accidentally gotten yourself into!!!!!!! The picture shows a pretty bad leg from what I can seek...You have 2 options.

1. Cull the chick to end it's suffering immediately. Kindest solution for the chick in the short/long term. Probably not easy for you to do seeing as you wanted to save it. Try to put emotion out of it and consider the situation rationally. You might feel you are doing the chick a favour by saving it..... but you may be just promising it a life of constant battles.

2. Amputate. I personally would cull. I'd find it easier than knowing if I got the amputation wrong, I'd have to cull it eventually anyway.... I mean how easy will it be to chop the poor things leg off??? eik!!! I tried to imagine doing it and kinda cringed....

But if you choose to amputate. Clean the area thoroughly with cotton wool and iodine. Dry the area with cotton wool or something sterile. Use a very sharp scapel, or razor blade, or knife to do the amputation. Try to go through the area where the joint that is damaged if you can... If it is already dislocated, this should be pretty easy with a sharp blade.... Ensure that you apply an antibiotic (I am not sure what is avail in your country!!) and wrap the wound using cotton wool , gauze or something similar. Apply pressure to stop any bleeding.

Dont unwrap for as long as possible.. It needs to stay wrapped so that it heals enough to ensure you dont peel open new skin when you remove the bandage... (no doubt it will fall off first)

Good luck.. Please let us know what you decide. I hope you make the best decision for the chick...... Please. Don't make it suffer for your own sake.

 

[Luke0987654321]

ok,
firt of all i dont want any bad comments about the decision i made.
so about 2 hours ago i amputated the leg, every thing went to plan,
now, she is able to hop around, eat drink, and gets around very easily,
she looks much more comfortable than before, the only thing that
went wrong was my dad almost passing out, so i hope it doesnt get infected.

will update soon
luke.

 

[TinaK]

although I may not have made the same decision as you..... I think you were quite brave. Poor dad!!

now you just have to keep your fingers crossed..

hope for no infection. The little chick probably never had full use of the leg anyway and won't know any different... There are many stories of one legged chickens around... just google!

post some pix up and keep us updated on how things progress

 

[Luke0987654321]

well she is fine, eating and drinking and when i
was changing the water she hoped over to me
like if to say thank you, that was amazing.
we have named her (hoping for her to be
a her and not a him) Peg-Leg

luke.

 

[nickori]

Luke, you did a great job. I have saved a few chickens that would normally of been culled. One was blind and lived a very long life. It is a personal choice that you have to be able to live with. I have also culled some chickens because I felt it was the humane thing to do. See how she gets around. As long as she does not get an infection and gets around ok, she should be fine.

Nicki

 

[Luke0987654321]

thanks for the support

luke.