Help needed for trapped chicken.

[KAKBucks]

I found one of my hens trapped out in the barn today. She'd managed to get her wing between a panel and the barn siding and was kind of hanging there. This was around 6pm, and I had last been out at around noon, so it could have been as long as 6 hours.

It seems like one side of her body is paralyzed, or nearly.

Strangely it seems like it's more her foot that is the problem than her wing. She can move her leg, but not her foot, so she can't stay sternal.

We got her loose, gave her food and water and settled her in the coop to see if her leg and wing were just "asleep". I went back a bit ago and she was pretty much where I left her.

I got her more water and tried to get her to spread out her toes to no avail.

I managed to get her sitting sternal but it's with her injured leg straight out behind her rather than tucked underneath her body. The underpart of her wing were it was caught seems a bit swollen but she has some control over her wing, unlike her foot.

Any suggestions, PLEASE???

 

[lemurchaser]

Could be some trauma to the nerves. Only time will tell if it will come back. Put her somewhere quiet with food and water, maybe some vitamins. Give her a couple weeks to see if it comes back. Nerves can be bruised and traumatized and still recover fully.

 

[justusnak]

I would DEFINATELY take her out of the coop! once the others realise she is injusred, they may start pecking at her, and possible kill her. I would put her in a small crate/cage..away from the others...and let her rest for a few days. Make sure she has plenty electrolytes in her water....it will help with the trauma. I hope she recovers.
Keep us posted.

 

[KAKBucks]

Thanks for the help. I'll try and pick up some fresh electrolytes today. The ones I have are a couple of years old.

The coop has a very small concentration of birds for the space, and I thought she'd be more comfortable there. They're buckeyes, so aren't very aggressive towards each other (or anyone else for that matter). I haven't been able to check on her yet this morning (two little ones in the house and it's pouring outside) but I will soon. She might get to spend some time in the dog crate we use as a chicken hospital.

I just put another bird out two days ago that spent 2 weeks in there after injuring its foot. He's doing great now, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed for this girl.

Thanks again!

Kendra