Henri has a boo boo

[CSolis]

Whoop... SO, checking on Henri this morning, well he checked on me before I got there returning my chatter.. but.. Swelling in his leg is down, as well as the heat I felt yesterday. I've cleaned his foot and leg with tree tea oil in some warm water. He didn't mind having his leg stretched back so I could do the bottom of his foot while he was on my lap... nor the forward motion of the leg (no resistance there) but, here's what I did notice moreso today than yesterday.. Center toe bends back when he walks, and though I wasn't able to get a good photo of it, the inside toe (facing his other foot) curls to the inside.. He's bright and chipper otherwise. Could this just be some 'broken' toes? And the next question would be.. "Any way to splint the toes while they heal?"

 

[Dottie the Chicken]

I have some chickens who seem to have bent toes, like they were at one time broken. I wonder if some vet wrap around the toes and feet might help to splint them?

 

[CSolis]

So, here we go.. another dose of echinacea today, along with a warm tea tree oil bath of the leg and foot.. no swelling, no warmness beyond the normal, but I'll continue giving him the echinacea. I did notice his middle toe was bending backwards a bit when he limped along. Guess if I had a broked toe I would be limping too, in fact I have.. Will post a pick, of the toe, and a video of the treatment.

After asking if there was a way to splint the toe, I sat here playing games and an idea struck me. How about using plastic water tubing cut to size, then cut length wise, using only a 3rd of the tubing (providing support). Got that done, then added a cotton pad on the inside, and a cut it down to size leaving some over the edges. Added a few drops of comfrey root to the padding, then cut some vet wrap to size, and went out to 'fix' up his toe. This is the result. As you can see in the video, he's bright eyed and still very alert, which leaves me thinking it's not a systemic problem. He didn't mind having his leg drawn back over mine to be washed or inspected, and no reaction when returning it to the normal position under him.. so it's probably the foot.

 

[nao57]

Actually what surprises me is how sturdy and enduring a lot of these birds are.

I recently got a wound on my duck, that I thought for sure its a goner. And its running around fine 2 days later. O.O

Much to my surprise.

 

[CSolis]

Actually what surprises me is how sturdy and enduring a lot of these birds are.

I recently got a wound on my duck, that I thought for sure its a goner. And its running around fine 2 days later. O.O

Much to my surprise.

Great to hear! Henri is one of the two cockerels I want to keep, mainly because of his personality. He's the ONLY one in the bunch that loves to snuggle. The other is a black sex linked cockerel, and I chose him (Charlie Sheen) because of his sheer size. At some point I hope to have more than one hen and one that is broody.. Maybe BO's or something suitable that I can find at the next auction in Opp.

 

[CSolis]

I have some chickens who seem to have bent toes, like they were at one time broken. I wonder if some vet wrap around the toes and feet might help to splint them?

If they aren't limping, I wouldn't worry about it, as you could strain the toe trying to straighten is back out.