Help for Deformed Hen

[Eggcessive]

I agree with everyone else that the hen should be put down if she is suffering, and especially if he does not have the time and ability to nurse this pullet. If he were an older retired person who stayed home, she might be able to live with a lot of supportive care. There are very expensive wheelchairs available for chickens who can still move their legs some, and a handy person could build one. A sling is much easier to make, and those can be useful for short periods throughout the day, with periods of rest and stretching in between. Here are some links for wheelchairs:
https://chickentherapychairs.weebly.com/

https://www.handicappedpets.com/walkin-wheels-duck-wheelchair/

Here are a couple of pages of easy homemade slings:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/versions-of-chick-chairs-please.1166308/

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I have recommended putting her down but I am afraid he is too attached to the hen and does not want to put her down unless a serious health issue were to arise. I don't think it can be corrected by this time, as one leg goes completely forward and the other one completely back the opposite way. I don't live in the area and only come to visit every month or so but I can try and get some pictures next time I am over. The areas where she rubs her wings does not seem to be open, just missing feathers. If she does put on weight though it will only get worse and I am afraid it will all go down hill by then. I will suggest a sling or a wheelchair but I really don't think my friend has the time for the type of care that she requires unfortunately. I was hoping of a way to just protect the wings from further damage as she seems to get around to her food and water and back into the coop on her own just fine.

I understand you are trying to help your friend with a solution. I cannot think of a way to pad the wings for her to be able to get around like that. Wrapping them would be hard and time consuming, they may also limit her mobility even more, wrappings may not stay on very well and would need to be re-done a few times a day. They would need to be taken off overnight to let the skin breath and the wings re-wrapped each day. Not to mention the skin would need to be monitored closely, bandaging can become soiled and wet with her moving around (think tissue breaking down/bacteria being trapped in there), even in a very clean pen it would take that extra daily care. The legs may also eventually suffer some type of contact dermatitis or sores from her sitting on them and dragging them around (getting soiled/wet). Those need to be examined daily too.
I'm very sorry, if he's determined to keep her, then a sling or wheelchair are the best options, but those do require the daily extra care as well.
I know you have no control over what or how he does things and oh yes, you get attached to them, I'm not immune to that either. When emotions are involved it's harder to make tough decisions for sure, but if he sits down and thinks about her long term quality of life, he may come around. If he doesn't, then keep offering suggestions and your support.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

... and oh yes, you get attached to them, I'm not immune to that either. When emotions are involved it's harder to make tough decisions for sure, .... ...

X2
I once had two Cornish Cross that missed the two butcher days. I became fond of the fat waddling critters running at me every time I went outside. I kept putting off the last butcher day.

 

[ValerieJ]

I agree with everyone else that the hen should be put down if she is suffering, and especially if he does not have the time and ability to nurse this pullet. If he were an older retired person who stayed home, she might be able to live with a lot of supportive care. There are very expensive wheelchairs available for chickens who can still move their legs some, and a handy person could build one. A sling is much easier to make, and those can be useful for short periods throughout the day, with periods of rest and stretching in between. Here are some links for wheelchairs:
https://chickentherapychairs.weebly.com/

https://www.handicappedpets.com/walkin-wheels-duck-wheelchair/

Here are a couple of pages of easy homemade slings:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/versions-of-chick-chairs-please.1166308/

If the chicken owner will not put her down, then I opt for this solution. Make her a wheel chair with food and water attached. Still, she is just a chicken and it may not feel like love to her. They have the instinct to survive, but I don't believe they have the desire to live like a human does. In the end, the most humane thing will be to put her down, unless the owner has an extraordinary amount of time to spend on her.

 

[Hobbits Mommie]

@Wyorp Rock , you are an amazing mentor!!

 

[helpforlilpeeps]

I completely understand your position and I agree. Though I think his emotions are overrunning his brain as things do when you become close to your animals. In his mind, since she is eating and drinking and moving around fine that it is an "acceptable" quality of life though that is very debatable.

 

[helpforlilpeeps]

I really want to thank everyone for their time and thoughts on this situation. It's tough for both the bird and owner and I don't think any solution is going to be easy. I will make sure to pass on all of this information to my friend.