Hen with a bum foot.

[kJamesJr]

I’ve got a hen with an injured foot.

A few months ago our dog grabbed one of our hens foot. The skin wasn’t broken and there wasn’t any signs of trauma. She was walking around favoring that foot for a week or so. I inspected the foot, worked and moved the toes around, I couldn’t feel any major breaks or dislocations. There wasn’t any swelling or inflammation. She was still foraging just fine and eating good so I figured it was just a sprain. shortly after we put them in for winter.

This afternoon when feeding and watering I noticed her middle toe (long toe) was a little swollen and pinkish. The nail has fallen out and she’s still favoring that foot. So I think I’ve identified the injury location. I’m thinking there’s a break in that toe. But after so long, I don’t know if it’s healed or what. Is there a way I can reset the toe? Should I treat with antibiotics and where can I get antibiotics from? She’s still eating and drinking good enough for being winter.

She’s a really nice broody buff and we’d like to keep her to raise our next day olds. Thanks!

 

[azygous]

Give us a photo and we can better help you judge the nature of the injury and if it's infected and requires an antibiotic.

 

[kJamesJr]

Sorry for the late reply!

Here’s a photo of the foot/toe. The inflammation seems to have gone down quite a bit. It still looks a little swollen however, and the nail has fallen off.

She’s still walking around favoring that foot. Like she keeps it constantly flexed/splayed outward. It was really swollen and deep red when I made the first post.

 

[Ryan A]

I’ve got a hen with an injured foot.

A few months ago our dog grabbed one of our hens foot. The skin wasn’t broken and there wasn’t any signs of trauma. She was walking around favoring that foot for a week or so. I inspected the foot, worked and moved the toes around, I couldn’t feel any major breaks or dislocations. There wasn’t any swelling or inflammation. She was still foraging just fine and eating good so I figured it was just a sprain. shortly after we put them in for winter.

This afternoon when feeding and watering I noticed her middle toe (long toe) was a little swollen and pinkish. The nail has fallen out and she’s still favoring that foot. So I think I’ve identified the injury location. I’m thinking there’s a break in that toe. But after so long, I don’t know if it’s healed or what. Is there a way I can reset the toe? Should I treat with antibiotics and where can I get antibiotics from? She’s still eating and drinking good enough for being winter.

She’s a really nice broody buff and we’d like to keep her to raise our next day olds. Thanks!

Ick. My chicken currently has Marek's disease and we are isolating her. That doesn't seem to be the case with your girl...take care of it as much as u can and keep your dog away from the birds!

 

[kJamesJr]

Ick. My chicken currently has Marek's disease and we are isolating her. That doesn't seem to be the case with your girl...take care of it as much as u can and keep your dog away from the birds!

He’s learning slowly but surely. He’s a puppy and a herding breed. Less than a year old. Our last dog used to do the same thing but after some training he learned to just avoid the chickens. He’s since passed away this year. They do keep the other predators away pretty effectively however.

 

[azygous]

That foot is healing. No need for an antibiotic. But I do advise soaking it daily in warm Epsom salt water. That can speed tissue healing. You can give one 81 grain chewable aspirin twice a day for pain to help her get around more comfortably.

 

[kJamesJr]

That foot is healing. No need for an antibiotic. But I do advise soaking it daily in warm Epsom salt water. That can speed tissue healing. You can give one 81 grain chewable aspirin twice a day for pain to help her get around more comfortably.

Currently they’re all locked up for winter so they don’t move around much. They just pile into nesting boxes until food and drink is served then they go right back in the boxes. She’s eating and drinking fine.