Injured Hen

[Nanamoma]

Hello, a month ago one of my hens hurt her right leg. I think it became dislocated at the hip/thigh area when the rooster was mounting her and he jumped off very sudden. My best guess is he pushed her wing down hard enough to injure that leg. It is not broken, but she had a very bad limp. She would not walk on it. I have dealt with a broken chicken leg before so I know it's not broken. She has been isolated from her flock, as I have a dog crate in the coop so she stays with them but in the crate at night. Most recently, 2-3 times per day, I lock the remaining flock out of the coop and let her wonder inside there, I will also put her in a fenced area outside of the coop by herself. I've had a couple of the other hens come inside the fenced area, but she has been picked on when I do that. They all free range during the day except. She is eating, drinking, and doing what chickens do all with a limp. She even laid an egg this morning. My dilemma is, when will it be safe to reintegrate her back into her flock and the best way to do this? Should I put her back on the perch at night? And do any of you know if the limp will ever go away, how long? Thanks for your response

 

[CCsGarden]

Sorry about your thread never getting answered! Does she have a limp when walking? Can you give her some vitamin E and B complex on a spoon of yogurt?

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Sorry your hen is hurt. One good way to integrate is to put one chicken in with her. When they are getting along well, put in another one. When the three of them are friends, add all three back into the flock at night. It's always hard to just put one new one alone, but if she already has a couple of friends, that can help.

Also when you add new hens, make sure there is plenty of "clutter" in the run. Safe places for the new hens to hide if they need to. Places to get under, on top of and behind. But make sure there are no dead ends. They need "tunnels." Like, a pallet leaned up against a fence for example, open at both ends. A chair laid on its side. Maybe an old table or coffee table. Have several waterers and feeding stations and be sure they are out of eyesight from each other. Hope this helps!