help! newbie with an injured hen

[klcondry]

I have an eight week old pullet with an injured foot and I'm not sure what to do with her.

I ran out to move my ark close to the house because we had a storm with quarter size hail predicted to come through. One of my girls got her foot caught when I sat the ark down... I'm not sure exactly what happened, I heard her squeal and immediately raised it back up... (I normally would not attempt to move it this way, but I was trying to get them out of harm's way!) I ended up bringing all 10 chickens in the house (IN THE POURING RAIN) so I could safely move the ark... She has a "scrape" on the top of her "shin" that is very minor but she won't bear weight on that foot. Everything looks normal and she doesn't peck at me or act distressed when I touch any part of that leg or foot. I am not sure what to do. I have her separated at the moment because I wanted to make sure she was okay... is there anything I should do?

I know it's late but I'm hoping there are a few night owls lurking about. Thanks so much in advance

 

[ChooksChick]

I think if you can't see anything amiss, like an askew bone, she'll likely be fine. Put ointment on any open wounds and just keep an eye on her- if you're not comfy putting her with the rest, give her a friend so she's not lonely.

 

[lotzahenz]

Hi,

I am supposed to be sleeping!! But I get on here and read and read and read. I would keep her isolated as the others will peck her silly. Make sure abrasion is clean and not bleeding, then if you have it put Triple antibiotic ointment or plain vaseline on it. It'll be fine, just keep it clean as possible and don't let her get pecked. She may need a few days in the kitchen with you to keep her from getting pecked by her mates. A dog kennel works well for me. Hold pressure if it is bleeding, when it quits "throbbing" she will bear weight on it again. If it was permanently damaged, she'll be a hop-a-long chicken in the future, but it is most likely not broken. If she is not better in a few days, You may need a splint (not too tight) to help her bear weight and if it's just "cracked" it will heal in time.

I am not an expert, but this has worked well for me in the past. I had a duck that spent a few months in a dog run/dog house after a turtle took all the skin off it's leg. The duck recovered and was the wisest duck of the lot after that attack. He outlived his buddies.

Good luck, HenZ

 

[klcondry]

Thank you for the quick responses. She is inside with one of her sisters, I put the others back in the ark when the storm had passed. The scrape is really very minor, poor girl! I'm going to let them sleep inside tonight and give them a boiled egg for breakfast in the morning (luck girls!) and she how she is. Hopefully I'll be able to put her back out with the others and just keep a watchful eye on her. I think the hubby and I may have a few revisions to make to our little tractor.

 

[Laurieks]

Neosporin or Bacitracin ointment isn't very tasty, so it might discourage pecking if they decide to start that tomorrow.

I hope she does well.