Injured Hen - Broken Leg/hip? Do I need to keep separate from flock?

[ChickiChica]

Hi,
Our flock of six was attacked by dogs this morning. One chicken was killed, 4 escaped, and our Welsummer (the alpha hen) was injured - we can't tell how badly, she seems perky but dazed, is standing but not moving much. Lost a lot of feathers. Is limping on the left side - can't visibly see any injuries but obviously either her leg or hip is hurt.
What do we do?
I don't know of any chicken vets around here.

Will the rest of the flock pick her to death while she is injured? Do we need to separate them?

Any ideas welcome!
Thanks!

 

[speckledhen]

Yes, separate her ASAP. Yes, they may pick on her. Yes, they may hurt her further. She needs rest and supportive care till you can figure out what's wrong.

 

[ChickiChica]

Thanks -

We just took a plastic kids playhouse from the yard and assembled it inside the run - put her in there with her own bed, food, water.

the rest of the flock doesn't seem to be picking on her, more huddling around all together than anything. We don't feel anything broken.

Should we just keep her apart from the flock for awhile and see if she mends on her own?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Quote:
I'd give her a couple days and then see how she is doing. as long as she is eating and drinking and gets rest she'll probably be fine in a couple of days. let us know how she is doing.

 

[Mattemma]

Sorry for your losses! I always bring injured hens into the house and set them up in a pet cage.

 

[Tracydr]

I usually bring any sick or injured chicken in the house so that I can monitor eating, drinking and activity more closely. I might put her in a box to limit her movement for a day or two to allow the injured leg a chance to heal without reinjury, as well. Could take as long as six weeks to heal, or more, depending on what was injured.
If she seems chilled, I give a heat lamp, treat like a young chick. If appetite is down, sugar water, egg yolk and yogurt.

 

[kgdubois]

I usually try to give mine water with electrolytes and/or GrowChick for a day or two after an injury. I also give them scrambled eggs mixed with yogurt if they are off their feed for more than about 24 hours. It is good that you've got her in with the other birds, because if she has to be separated for more that a few days, sometimes they have to re-establish their place in the flock (which adds to their overall stress level and healing time).

I have two dog-attack injured hens in my flock right now also.

Good luck!

 

[ChickiChica]

Thanks so much to everyone -

She is doing great, barely limping at all now, was able to keep her alpha status in tact without any picking or fighting at all. So happy to see her doing so well. I really appreciate all the support!

You guys are the best!

 

[speckledhen]

Very glad to hear it!