Hen won't stand after possibly being hit. Help!

[CumminsCowgirl]

I was driving to go to my barn and in the middle of the road I see a chicken pop it's head up. It look like a young hen, no bleeding, no cuts but she must've been hit because she wouldn't stand. When I brought her home she was lively, clucking to my other chickens also eating and drinking normally but the thing she still hasn't been able to do is stand, in front of me at least. I have her in my house in a big tub and I know I've walked by to see her standing up but when I'd go back she'd be back down flapping her wings. I run a business with my parents and it's been difficult to get her to a vet (only farm vet is like 2 hours away..) but when I feel the leg I know is causing her trouble she never seems in pain. I also don't feel any sharp ridges like a broken bone and comparing to my other hens her leg feels the same as the others. So I'm just a little confused on what's going on. Is it a possibility she has it dislocated and can't stand or is it broken in a place I can't feel? I'm just looking for help on what I can do for her this very moment until I can make my way to the vet. Thank you! (Added photo is how she sits in the bathtub when I try to have her stand. She try's to put her one leg behind her and another infront to attempt to keep balance)

 

[Eggcessive]

Welcome to BYC. It is rather puzzling to know whether she was hit, injured herself, or maybe suffering from a disease that has mad her lame. I would give her some time by keeping her close to food and water. Put some vitamins in the water for chickens or dissolve a B Complex tablet in her water. Offer her some chicken feed and a bit of chopped egg or tuna for extra protein. A chicken sling might be something you could try for a few hours a day, and that can help keep her upright and close to food and water. I will post some pictures soon of slings.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I was driving to go to my barn and in the middle of the road I see a chicken pop it's head up. It look like a young hen, no bleeding, no cuts but she must've been hit because she wouldn't stand. When I brought her home she was lively, clucking to my other chickens also eating and drinking normally but the thing she still hasn't been able to do is stand, in front of me at least. I have her in my house in a big tub and I know I've walked by to see her standing up but when I'd go back she'd be back down flapping her wings. I run a business with my parents and it's been difficult to get her to a vet (only farm vet is like 2 hours away..) but when I feel the leg I know is causing her trouble she never seems in pain. I also don't feel any sharp ridges like a broken bone and comparing to my other hens her leg feels the same as the others. So I'm just a little confused on what's going on. Is it a possibility she has it dislocated and can't stand or is it broken in a place I can't feel? I'm just looking for help on what I can do for her this very moment until I can make my way to the vet. Thank you! (Added photo is how she sits in the bathtub when I try to have her stand. She try's to put her one leg behind her and another infront to attempt to keep balance)

Hi

Welcome To BYC

This hen is not yours?
Any chance someone dumped her out in the "country"?

It's possible she may have a leg injury, but she may have also been dumped because she is ill and someone got rid of her.

Since it seems you can manipulate the leg and she shows no sign of pain/tenderness, then most likely it is not broken.

The best you can do is give supportive care until the vet can see her. Watch to see if she is drinking, offer some poultry vitamins if you have them and make her as comfy as you can.

I do recommend that you practice bio-security between her and your existing flock and if you do decide to keep her, a quarantine period of at least 30 days would be a good idea, just in case she has a contagious disease like Marek's or Mycoplasma.

Just my thoughts.

 

[lutherpug]

Poor thing, just wanted to commend you for taking her in and trying to care for her. I can't stand to see animals suffer-I'm glad you guys crossed paths.

 

[Eggcessive]

I agree with Wyorp Rock that she could have been dumped. Certain diseases such as Mareks disease and vitamin deficiencies can cause lameness and neurological symptoms. Mareks comes to mind with her putting one leg in front and one leg under or behind her. and using the wings to balance. Here is a link or two to read about Mareks, and some pictures of homemade chicken slings:
https://extension.unh.edu/resources/files/Resource000791_Rep813.pdf
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq

 

[CumminsCowgirl]

Thank you all! I'll look more into mareks and read up.

 

[Eggcessive]

Do you have other chickens? I also think you did a nice thing by bringing this chicken home and trying to help her. She may well be injured, but just wanted to make you aware of some diseases that can look like that. Chicken slings can be made out of about anything. They typically have two holes for the legs and one in the back for the droppings to go through. They can be attached to crates, boxes, an overhead board or fence, and others. It makes it easy for a lame hen to stand upright and eat or drink. Also, if there is a sprain or broken bone, it can allow for the injury to heal. Let us know how she gets along.