Hen with hurt leg

[Sylvie202019]

2 weeks ago, one of our 3 months old Wyandotte had an injured leg when someone stepped on it. I do not see any injury, swelling, marks,... but she will not put her weight on it. She has been caged since. I do not see any amélioration so far. She was feeling lonely and crying each time I visited,... so I moved her in a small pen with two gentle Orpington hens younger than her.
Any advise on what I can do to help her?
Is two weeks too long to still hope for healing?

 

[Eggcessive]

Can you feel around for swelling, bruising, or displacement, and try to tell where on the leg the injury is located? Is it in a joint or the bones? Is it possible to get an xray from a vet? Splinting might help if the injury can be located. Sprains or broken bones can take weeks or months to heal.

 

[Sylvie202019]

I would say the joint lower than the metatarsus I think. I’ll go check on her carefully later but she does not seem to be able to move her fingers at all, they lay flat. If there is some swelling it is right under the center of her foot.

thank you very much for your answer and your chart. It is very helpful.

 

[coach723]

If you need to keep the toes in a normal position then you can make a shoe type splint, splinting manual below. Also, if she isn't wanting to put weight on it then you can use a chicken sling for periods of time to help keep her upright and take the weight off. You do need to supervise, some tolerate the sling very well, some will freak out and you don't want her to hurt herself more. Pictures of examples below. Without an xray you will just need to support it and give it some time to see if it improves.

 

[Sylvie202019]

Thank you soooo much for your help. It is a gold mine for me who is so new with poultry.
I’ve tried to make a shoe. i will try to uploas a picture of before and after.
tomorrow I will make a sling for her.