I think it's broken

[Chew593]

I have a 21 week old hen that didn't come in from free ranging the other day. DH found her and she wasn't walking. I've secluded her and she's eating and drinking like a champ. Today I had the opportunity to check her over thoroughly and I feel some crunching in her knee area. She isn't putting any weight on that leg.
I would love some input on caring for her. Does she stand a chance of ever going back to the flock? Should I vet wrap the leg and cross my fingers? Thank you in advance!

 

[Judy]

Certainly sounds like a fracture. I would either cull, or immobilize the joint. She will most likely be crippled, probably with a stiff leg, but that is much better than leaving the bones separate, where they can move about for the rest of her life. It is certainly possible she can rejoin the flock in a few weeks, when it has stabilized. This will probably take 4 to 8 weeks, as a guess, depending what is fractured.