How do I care for chicken with sprained leg?

[niccichick]

Hi All;

This is Niccichick and I'm new to this website and am learning so much!! Love everything and all the info. It is so helpful to us new "Urban Farmers." I have 6 Buff Orpingtons and 4 Black Austrolorps who are right now 14 weeks old, getting bigger by the day and funner than anything. I have one of my Buff Orpingtons alone in the garage in a dog kennel because I think she sprained her leg a week and a half ago. I came out in the morning to let them all out of their sleeping box and one would not come down the ramp. She just sat there and looked at me as if to say "Well, help me." When I lifted her down she refused to stand and was holding her left foot curled up under her breast. I immediately got online and searched your site and found all sorts of info. about "bumblefoot." I thoroughly examined her and cannot fine any injury to indicate this. She looks completely healthy foot-wise, no scab, no slivers, no cuts, no redness, no swelling, no fever. So I've keep her apart and quiet and warm. I've been soaking her legs for 15 minutes a day in warm epsom salts and rubbing vet linament on her leg afterwards. She now is trying to walk and wants to run out of the cage whenever I go out to visit her. Her limp is really pronounced, but an improvement over not putting weight on it at all last week. Does anyone know how long it takes for something like this to heal? And, is there anything else I need to be doing for her? I'm feeding her mealworms and chopped up kale to beef up her immune system. Other than that I'm so new to all this I don't know what to do and would appreciate any and all suggestions.

Blessings,
Niccichick

 

[SteveBaz]

I would isolate your injured bird in a small appliance box or med to large dog crate. To restrict it's ability to walk around and force it to stay settled. I am not sure if no perch is is better but I think just to force a lay down is best. Then with 2 people I would hold you bird and splint the leg with a straw and protective wound dressing vet wrap - sports tape – breathable band-aids or protective wound dressing vet wrap. Hold her/him cut to length from just top of foot to just under body and tape the straw/splint. Leave it on and keep it settled for at least 4 days.
While your little one is down here is an opportunity to baby your little guy/girl. Time to dust it with D.E. (diatomaceous earth) has the neat quality of killing insects. It's perfect for natural insect control. It is 100% ecologically safe to the environment and non-poisonous to man and beast. Add 2% D.E. to your feed to reduce, or eliminate internal parasites and worms. You can dust your birds while it’s in your makeshift or permanent hospital to help control external parasites like red mites, and lice. You will also need to spread this liberally on roosts, bedding areas, and dusting spots. Take care not to inhale the dust, as it can cause lung problems.
Feeding your little one now is important. Great foods now is so perfect for better help. Proteins and water with liquid vitamins like Vita-Sol and organic apple cider vinegar.

Best of luck and

 

[niccichick]

Thanks so much. I do have a question about the splinting, though. Do I split the straw up the middle and literally wrap the straw around her leg and tape it? Or, do I cut 1 long straw in two and line those up on either side of her leg and then tape around those?

Blessings,
NICCICHICK