injured leg help

[Michelle in NM]

I'm not sure what happened to this gal but she's been limping for a week. She's still eating and drinking plus moving around during the day. Until last night she had been going up the ladder to her roost. Last night she was at the bottom of the ladder sleeping so I moved her to be with the other girls. She lets me touch the leg and isn't making much noise. Today I did soak the leg in epsom salt. Any ideas what could be the issue based on these pictures? It appears bruised, I can't feel a significant break. Should we try to let it get better on her own or send her to chicken heaven? You can also see how she holds it. This is how she walk on it as well. Taking her to the vet isn't an option.

 

[ChickenGal1842]

I'd leave it.. if it swells, put a pinch of tumeric in the food or water every time u change it... Maybe ask a vet.

 

[Eggcessive]

It does look bruised and painful. You probably can’t tell if there is a break without an xray by a vet. Is that a possibility? You might try using some padding and vet wrap to add support to the leg and foot, making a boot. I would probably put her on and take her off the roost each day, or place her in a dog crate to sleep at night, so she isn’t reinjuring her leg.
Here is some splinting info:
http://www.starlingtalk.com/fractures.htm#legsplint

 

[Eggcessive]

Here is another—scrolldown to page 22 for fractured tarsometatarsis:
https://theiwrc.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Duerr_Splinting_Manual_2010.pdf