I think my chicken has broken her leg. PLEASE HELP

[bethanyc]

Yesterday I noticed one of my hens limping. Didn't honk to much of it. She was limping less today. When it was time to go in the coop I found her laying on the ground unable to walk or even stand up. I brought her inside and put her in a crate. She is laying but in pain, and panting. Should I make a splint? If so how? And should I put her in her pen during the day? Or keep her crated 24/7 until she heals? She is in pain and I want to know what is best to do to help her. (Photo of her before she was hurt )

 

[bethanyc]

~ her leg seems limp from the "ankle"? Down

 

[OPPT]

I had a lovely hen (Bernadette) who broke her leg. I tried to splint it, but it didn't really stay on. We kept her in a box in the garage, and every day I would take her out with me when I gardened. She would sit on the ground and I would give her worms and grubs. Eventually she started to stand, holding that leg up and balancing on the tip of her wing. Then she started to scratch a little with the injured leg while she balanced on the uninjured one. After four or five weeks she started to put some weight on it, and after a couple more weeks she went back to the flock. Our rooster was so excited to have her back I thought he was going to rebreak her leg, but she survived his attentions and lived for several more years. Unlike your hen, I don't remember her being in pain though. I would definitely keep her separate from the flock. If she's eating and drinking and laying, hopefully she will heal.
Good luck

 

[bethanyc]

I had a lovely hen (Bernadette) who broke her leg. I tried to splint it, but it didn't really stay on. We kept her in a box in the garage, and every day I would take her out with me when I gardened. She would sit on the ground and I would give her worms and grubs. Eventually she started to stand, holding that leg up and balancing on the tip of her wing. Then she started to scratch a little with the injured leg while she balanced on the uninjured one. After four or five weeks she started to put some weight on it, and after a couple more weeks she went back to the flock. Our rooster was so excited to have her back I thought he was going to rebreak her leg, but she survived his attentions and lived for several more years. Unlike your hen, I don't remember her being in pain though. I would definitely keep her separate from the flock. If she's eating and drinking and laying, hopefully she will heal.
Good luck

Thank you! I actually wound up taking her to the vet. She had totally fractured her tibia. She also had a respiratory infection. They put her on antibiotics and pain meds for 2 days and did surgery today. She did well. Hoping for a full recovery! She will be at the vet for a couple more days.

 

[OPPT]

Good for you! I'm so glad she's doing better. She's a lovely hen.