Hen's swollen foot and ankle

[cheekiechickie]

Okay, so I have experience with Bumblefoot, but this is not the same. My new hen, got her as a chick in March, recently was found just laying outside. When approached she didn't get up to move, so we picked her up and checked her out. Her foot pad and ankle joint is swollen. I've never had a case where bumble foot swelled up the leg, or had to wait for a scab to appear, although there does seem to be a very small scab by the base of a toe... Starting to dread it might be MS, but would really appreciate your feedback.

 

[Little Chicken Girl]

Do you think it is possible that she could have injured/sprained or broken her ankle? It doesn't appear like the swelling is a result of infection and the foot looks like a healthy one otherwise. If it was Bumble foot, the swelling would be concentrated around the scab area (meaning the swelling would have grow from the base of the toe, not the ankle).

 

[cheekiechickie]

Its very much possible, she's young and just recently began to roost. I just noticed tonight (just a few minutes ago) that the rest of the flock are roosting much higher than I would like. We also have a bit of a problem with a neighbors cat coming through the yard and freaking the girls out. I have found my hens scattered in tree branches in the last two days because of this. I was out of town for the last two weeks, so I wasn't aware of the changes until yesterday, AND tonights discovery. Now if it is a sprain, or break, how do I go about helping it heal? She uses her wings to kinds scoot around as is, and for the most part keeps off it. Can I make her a brace if that is the case???

 

[Little Chicken Girl]

You can check out this thread on a possible broken chicken bone. It might be helpful. Coach723 gives some helpful advice + photos of some contraptions for comfort that also keep the bird still while healing. https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/possible-broken-bone.1197055/#post-18940568

Also, here is some helpful information on helping broken bones heal correctly from Storey's Guide to raising chickens. I am including photos of that book below. Sorry the images are not perfect and there is part of a thumb in one of the photos... I hope you can still read it well. I also hope it helps!

 

[cheekiechickie]

this is currently her foot. I've had her in a box sling and had her ankle and foot wrapped. The box sling she hates and is always flying out of. I'm afraid she's hurt her foot more due to the escape attempt, as so far only minimal swelling in her ankle has gone away and her toes are starting to look funny to me. How do her toes look to you ?

 

[micstrachan]

I have a hen with a sore leg, and forcing her to rest is helping. Hopefully rest will help your girl, too. I can't see a problem with that last photo, but defer to the experts. Keep us posted!

 

[Little Chicken Girl]

If her foot has been the way described for this long (almost 2 wks?), then I would say it is broken... Which is not far fetched considering the most common broken/fractured bones in backyard chickens are in the legs/toes/feet. Does the situation seemed improved, worse or same (i.e how much weight she puts on it/how much she moves around on her own)? How straight does it appear (it is hard to tell from the photos)?
Sorry for all the questions... trying to help. I hope that she is doing better soon...

 

[cheekiechickie]

She is very active yet, which has made trying to help her very difficult. She uses her foot to help stabilize her when she turns but doesn't put much weight on it. Before she wouldn't even lower her foot. She also has been using her wings as crutches, putting them on the ground and then hobbling around. Her appetite hasn't slowed and it very social yet, so I think shes improving, but with her being so active I constantly worry she will re-break something.

 

[Little Chicken Girl]

She is very active yet, which has made trying to help her very difficult. She uses her foot to help stabilize her when she turns but doesn't put much weight on it. Before she wouldn't even lower her foot. She also has been using her wings as crutches, putting them on the ground and then hobbling around. Her appetite hasn't slowed and it very social yet, so I think shes improving, but with her being so active I constantly worry she will re-break something.

It sounds like she is doing pretty well.
Activity and appetite are very good signs...

However, I would keep her in a fairly small, somewhat confined area (like a dog kennel, cage or small run) with something to peck at (like grass clippings) to keep her from moving around to much while still feeling busy.

As of now, her foot/toes look okay (to me... I am not an expert though). I would watch for changes (increased swelling, discoloration, etc...). I would also keep an eye on her foot to make sure it is healing straight.

 

[cheekiechickie]

We have a dog wire dog crate that we placed next to her coop so she can still be part of flock during the day, and then in to our house she comes at night to "rest" in her sling/box. I wish she would heal faster though. I worry about how she'll have to reintegrate into the flock.