I think she broke her leg... a week ago. Too late?

[Paganbird]

A little over a week ago, my BA "Dovie" was attacked by... something. We weren't sure what it was, but Dovie got away.
When I got to her, (after following the trail of feathers up the road) she was limping and there was blood on her beak and leg. Judging from the marks on the (dirt) road, she clawed into the road & was drug about 8 feet. Apparantly - at that point, she fought back.
I checked her head to toe & there were no open areas. The blood on her foot & beak must have been from the other animal.
I checked out her foot & leg. No swelling or warmth. She could move her toes. She would pull her leg in when I touched it, but she didn't fight my examination.
I put her in solitary for a week. I let the other hens in to visit her. About 2 days ago, she started using the leg again... not really weight-bearing, but letting it touch the ground like a step while she hopped.
I was excited that she was feeling better so I put her out with the other hens. Today I noticed obvious swelling. I checked the leg & I think from the way it is bent, that it is broken.
Is it too late to set the leg? I'm guessing that the recently added pressure caused it to "buckle."
I'm not sure what to do. There are still no open areas. She is the leader of our little flock & insists on hopping around as if nothing is wrong.
TIA

 

[Blackbird]

Not sure exactly what to tell you, but I had a hen get stepped on by one of my goats, her leg was snapped in half and bent under pressure, but she could still move her toes. I took a popsickle stick and tapped it on so she could put more weight on it. At that point, I couldn't see much else I could do without forking out money. After a couple weeks she was able to move around like normal and put pressure on fairly well, she was entirely freeranged too though. To this day across the break its wider across, but she can get around like before. Hope I helped a little..

 

[Paganbird]

Thanks. I'll try sometihng like that & see if it helps.

 

[Blackbird]

Hey PaganBird; how is Dovie doing? I hope she is recouperating well.

Would you like a picture of my hens leg now that its 'normal'?

 

[Paganbird]

LOL... She's doing better.
She is one crazy hen.
I splinted her leg with two pieces of sponge. (Thick sponge that had been allowed to dry so that it is stiff, but still gives. It conformed to her leg very well.) Then I wrapped the sponge onto her leg with bright green vet-wrap.
So she struts around with this bright green, chunky "leg warmer" as if it is the latest fashon.
I'm just happy she's able to put a little weight on it without falling over or using her wing for balance.
How long did you splint your hen's leg? I don't want to take the splint off too soon.
And, Sure, I'd like to see a pic of your hen's leg. Maybe it would give me an idea of what to expect.
Thanks for all your help!

 

[Blackbird]

I'm glad to hear she's doing good!

The hen I had the splint on managed to get it off after a week and to this day is healthy and well, but I'd recommend leaving it on a bit longer if you can.

I'll try to get a picture for you today.

 

[Blackbird]

Sorry I couldn't catch her yesterday Pagan, but I did today.

Here is the leg. Now you can see what I meant when I said its wider where it broke. Looks worse than it is..

And here she is otherwise

Hopefully Dovie's will heal up better with your sponge.. never would have thought of that!