Hen caught in hay baler, leg missing.

[ThornberryFields]

Hello friends, we are currently in our first cut hay season here in Kentucky. My husband brought the square baler in the barn to clear it of a wad of hay that had gotten stuck, binding up the baler. Long story short, we didn't realize a hen had laid down in the chute, next to the knife in the baler. When my husband engaged the pto to check for smooth operation, the hen flopped around and then flew out. When he noticed the hen freaking out in the baler, he reached inside which the baler promptly degloved his thumb, the hen flew out and up the hill towards the coop and we went to the ER. Husband had his thumb repaired and when we checked the coop that night when we got home, the hens seemed fine. Everyone was roosting last night so we assumed the hen just had a good fright. Well this morning we noticed she was limping, we caught her and her left leg is missing. Super clean cut, nothing crushed and surprisingly no blood. We placed the hen in a crate and she is currently residing in my kitchen. I first soaked the stump with iodine, then coated it with vetricyn gel. A vet is not an option, and she's eating and drinking fine. Haven't seen any poop yet. Is there anything I can do to help her be comfortable? Also, does anyone have any ideas on how I can help her walk? Home made prosthetic leg maybe?

She is a year old easter egger. The pink bandage was loosely wrapped to aid in keeping her wings to her side while we inspected, and then promptly removed. My replies will be slow, as I need to get back to the hay field to help. Thank you in advance!

 

[ThornberryFields]

I said left leg and its obviously her right leg. My apologies, I got confused.

 

[ThornberryFields]

 

[Sierra G]

See if you can locate her original foot. It's probably worth a quick look, but it's also probably in a bale of hay. If you can locate it you can use it to get measurements for a prosthetic device or make a cast of it to serve as a model when you have more time and the stump has healed.

Until the leg heals you probably just need to keep her where the other chickens won't bother her and make sure she's comfortable. Clean the stump, apply an antibiotic ointment, and bandage it so it stays clean.

When she's healed or while she's healing you can decide what to do about a prosthesis. There are lots of options for materials resins, plastics, polymer clay, 3d printed nylon. If you know a crafty person they'd probably make something for you just for the challenge. The hen may actually adapt to the injury too. Obviously, running isn't going to be at the top of her todo list, but her balance should be good enough to stand, roost, and hop about without assistance. Unless you can improved upon her adaptive abilities a prosthesis is just going to hinder her. But if someone makes one it won't hurt to try it out for a few days and then decide.

 

[ryneaeiel]

Hi! Please see this thread for info on emergency wound care!

You've done great so far with treating her!

The stump needs to be wrapped with vetwrap until it heals. You'll have to change her dressing and re-apply the Veterycin every day -- I recommend doing it at the same time every day so she develops a bit of a "schedule." Thankfully chickens heal incredibly fast!

As for mobility, she honestly shouldn't have much difficulty moving around. Chickens are great at persevering despite their injuries. I had a hen who lost her leg from the hock down to a bobcat and she got around just fine by hobbling.

If she's acting a bit "down," bring one of the other hens inside with her for a half hour or so. It'll lift her spirits.

 

[ThornberryFields]

Thanks yall! I will definitely go look for the foot, a quick internet search produced a store on Etsy that will custom make a splint boot/leg. I will order one tonight and see how it goes. Also, thanks for the advice on keeping another hen with her when she gets "down". I'll catch her friend and bring inside for awhile. You guys are fantastic, thanks so much!

 

[aart]

When he noticed the hen freaking out in the baler, he reached inside which the baler promptly degloved his thumb,

HolyCrap!!
Glad he didn't lose the thumb or more.

 

[FuzzyOwlFeet]

I don't have any tips but I hope your husband is okay!! My neighbor lost his whole arm to a baler. Praying for a speedy recovery for both your husband and the chicken ❤

 

[ThornberryFields]

Thanks yall, his thumb is still intact, just minus some skin from the knuckle closest to his thumbnail, all the way to his thumbtip. (I didn't find the chicken foot, but I did find the thumbnail. Grossed me out to find thumb remnants, but I was eager to find the chicken foot lol) He will be ok, just super sore for awhile, till his skin grows back. We are unsure of the damage to the nail bed itself, so its wait and see if the nail grows back. This hen was one of his favorites, we have over 100 chickens. But this one, he says to me, "We will name her Thumbelina."

 

[aart]

Thanks yall, his thumb is still intact, just minus some skin from the knuckle closest to his thumbnail, all the way to his thumbtip. (I didn't find the chicken foot, but I did find the thumbnail. Grossed me out to find thumb remnants, but I was eager to find the chicken foot lol) He will be ok, just super sore for awhile, till his skin grows back. We are unsure of the damage to the nail bed itself, so its wait and see if the nail grows back. This hen was one of his favorites, we have over 100 chickens. But this one, he says to me, "We will name her Thumbelina."

Why did you want to find the chicken foot?