Hurt Chick

[Bigmomma 66]

The heat lamp fell into the box with my 3 day old chicks and either landed on or bumped one of the chicks. Now she won't use her leg. She keeps it drawn up under her belly. I am an R.N. and I can't find any dislocations or fractures. She spends a lot of time resting on her belly. She is still eating, drinking and defending herself. She does not let the other chicks push her around.
My question is , is she likely to heal or will she have to spend her life as a one-legged chicken. She does seem to get around okay, although she is not as active as the other chicks.

 

[Chasitity]

I have splinted a chick's leg before by cutting down a q-tip, wrapping it with tissue, then a band-aid. If the skins not broke that's good due to risk of infection. I would separate her from the rest, just to avoid extra stress. If it is a burn you could use dermaplast, which is a pain relieving spray and maybe bandage it so she doesn't spread it around her bedding (I'm not sure how toxic it is). We use an electrolyte additive to the water which really helps our injured girls. Good luck.

 

[Eggcessive]

Oh my that is my nightmare. We use a C-clap on those lamps because they are dangerous. If she has it drawn up, I would think that is encouraging. If it were limp and hanging, that would be worse. As long as she is getting around and eating/drinking, she may be okay in a week or two. Watch out that she doesn't get trampled or picked on. If so, just make her a little fenced off area in the brooder. Breaks usually will swell and be discolored, so hopefully it is just a sprain or a bruise. You might check out the EcoGlow brooders if you get more chicks.

 

[Bigmomma 66]

Thank you so much. I wasn't sure how long to wait before taking more drastic measures or just reconciling myself to a "gimpy" chicken. She seems to be defending herself if anyone tries to pick on her. I will just give her a couple weeks to heal up and watch her very closely.

 

[Eggcessive]

Here is a good link on splinting avian fractures, if you ever need it:
http://theiwrc.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Duerr_Splinting_Manual_2010.pdf

 

[Bigmomma 66]

Thank you everyone for your replies and support. The chick is much better today and has begun walking on the hurt leg a little. She has also been much more active today. It appears that she will heal up completely.

 

[Shabana]

Really glad to hear your chicks on the mend x

 

[Eggcessive]

Wonderful news.

 

[Chasitity]

That is really great, congrats