Injured chick

[lemon and company]

I have a six week old leghorn chick. I think that she broke her leg (it is discolored and she cannot walk). Once she was injured, her mama hen stopped taking care of her. I isolated her. I have her in a playpen in the house, so that I can take care of her and so that the other hens don't hurt her. She eats and drinks when I hold her. I wrap her in a small dish towel and pick her up. Once I do this, she will eat and drink heartily.

From time to time, her injured leg shakes uncontrollably. However, I have found that if I keep her snug in the dish towel, she seems the most settled.

I am new to chicken rearing. This was our first and only chick to hatch (out of 12 eggs). We have had her mama hen, along with 4 other leghorn hens and one rooster for just over 1 year.

I read in other posts that the broken leg could take 3-4 weeks to mend. My fear is that I am subjecting this poor chick to undue pain and suffering. Is it better to euthanize?

Any helpful suggestions would be much appreciated.

 

[JakRat]

Well if she is still eating and seems happy she may just be fine. Did you splint it?

 

[lemon and company]

I didn't splint it. I am not quite sure how to - it appears the injury is just above the "ankle" joint (not sure what it is called in chickens).