Hen with a possible broken leg

[2 many chickens]

Two nights ago one of my chickens got left out of the coop. I somehow miscounted when I put then up for the night.. next day I woke up and found a bunch of feathers and her hobbling on one foot. I guess something tried to get her and she (thank god) got away. I felt awful and still do... I brought her into our mud room and have her locked in a crate with food, water and a lamp. She seems happy and is eating and drinking.. as well as clucking happily to me whenever I check on her. She just can't put much weight on it. She can grasp my fingers with her feet and can kind of stand on it bUT hops on her other foot to move. Like one big jump on the okay foot.
I don't feel any broken bones and I don't think it's out of socket or anything. I'm not sure if I should wrap it or splint it? Will she heal fine without anything like that? Advice please.

She's one of my sweet friendly girls, her name's Butters!

 

[Arya28]

Hi! I'm so sorry that your hen broke her leg!

I really don't know the mechanics of fixing that physically. However, if you have rosemary, you can put some in her water to help her with the pain.

 

[2 many chickens]

Hi! I'm so sorry that your hen broke her leg!

I really don't know the mechanics of fixing that physically. However, if you have rosemary, you can put some in her water to help her with the pain.

Thanks! Me too, I feel a lot of guilt like I could have prevented it. I was in a rush and counted wrong.

Also, have you heard of putting vinegar in chickeb water? Read something where it helps them heal faster. I will definitely do the Rosemary! Anyway I can help her!

 

[2 many chickens]

Cluck...

 

[Arya28]

Hi! Sorry!

Yes vinegar is very good for chicks and chickens but it has to be the right kind of vinegar. Generally you should use "with the mother" organic apple cider vinegar, such as Braags. This helps them because it helps keep their gut flora healthy, which can help their immune systems work better.

It's good you did the rosemary! We have a "gimpy" chick, who has had a slipped tendon since we got her. We used rosemary a lot when we first brought her home, and it helped. Her body has kind of adapted to it, so she's not in a lot of pain anymore. Vinegar might help though! And also, anti inflammatory herbs such as cinnamon, green tea, cayenne pepper (they don't have heat receptors so they won't get burned), tumeric, and ginger will reduce the inflammation in her leg.

Don't blame yourself though! As chickens owners we can all make mistakes, and chickens are chickens, you can't beat yourself up over something like that.

I really don't know what to say for how to physically put her leg together though! Hopefully someone with good chicken anatomy knowledge chimes in...

 

[Eggcessive]

Vinegar is not harmful, but it is not needed for chickens. Good clean water daily is best. Can you try to see a local vet for an xray of her leg? Can you feel or see a break or any bruising/swelling? It is good that you have her in a limited space to force rest. If your crate fits in the coop where she can be with the other chickens, she would be happier there. It can take several weeks for sprains to get better or broken bones to heal. Please let us know how she gets along.

 

[Andreamoroz1989]

Two nights ago one of my chickens got left out of the coop. I somehow miscounted when I put then up for the night.. next day I woke up and found a bunch of feathers and her hobbling on one foot. I guess something tried to get her and she (thank god) got away. I felt awful and still do... I brought her into our mud room and have her locked in a crate with food, water and a lamp. She seems happy and is eating and drinking.. as well as clucking happily to me whenever I check on her. She just can't put much weight on it. She can grasp my fingers with her feet and can kind of stand on it bUT hops on her other foot to move. Like one big jump on the okay foot.
I don't feel any broken bones and I don't think it's out of socket or anything. I'm not sure if I should wrap it or splint it? Will she heal fine without anything like that? Advice please.

She's one of my sweet friendly girls, her name's Butters!

Hi! I know this is extremely old but wonder how your hen healed? Mine is doing the exact same thing as yours and I also can’t find a break or anything. Thanks!