JJandtheBoys
Chirping
- Oct 26, 2020
- 46
- 45
- 94
Hello,
I'm hoping for some feedback on what others have experienced in similar situations or advice beyond what we are doing.
My three year old Lavender Orpington "Killer" somehow caught her foot on some hardware cloth, and we found her upside down, hanging from one leg about 6 inches off the ground. We check on them throughout the day, but I am not sure how long she was upside down. We found her in the evening.
1. Once upright, she immediately pooped. A lot. Poor girl.
2. There are NO obvious wounds on her leg.
3. When we laid her on her back, her hips, hock, and shank all felt and looked symmetrical - they still do.
4. None of us can now remember which leg she was hanging by (panic moment)- we think the LEFT leg - and she seems off balance on that side -but the TOES on the right leg are not really "reflex curling" around my thumb when I press her foot. Also - her right leg seems to curl up under her more. Bottom line- we don't know. There is a family debate about which leg is keeping her from standing -and I guess that she could have injuries to both (though only hanging by one).
CURRENT STATUS: She is secured in a small playpen inside and is drinking (had some Rooster Booster and now on fresh water) and eating (voraciously consuming eggs, layer feed, tomatoes). Pooping normally and perky. It has been a day and a half - she hasn't laid an egg yet while inside -but we shall see.
PROBLEM: She cannot get up and walk. Both legs have some mobility, but we cannot tell how much. The incident occurred around 40 hours ago, and she seems slightly better (doesn't fall over if we "test" her ability to walk" - but will not put her feet under her and stand). We can't tell if she is not moving due to pain or if she has permanent mobility issues. Too soon?
QUESTION: Aside from supportive care, is there anything we are missing? Anyone with similar experience? My plan is to keep her inside until she can stand and then allow her to have time in the coop (probably in the confines of a cage) with her flock - but continue to nurse her inside until she is well. Is this realistic? We do not have a vet in our area who will see our birds. Frustrating without seeing any visible injuries - and I'm worried that the "upside down" position might have harmed her as much as the hanging by the leg.
Appreciate your input, Chicken Family!
I'm hoping for some feedback on what others have experienced in similar situations or advice beyond what we are doing.
My three year old Lavender Orpington "Killer" somehow caught her foot on some hardware cloth, and we found her upside down, hanging from one leg about 6 inches off the ground. We check on them throughout the day, but I am not sure how long she was upside down. We found her in the evening.
1. Once upright, she immediately pooped. A lot. Poor girl.
2. There are NO obvious wounds on her leg.
3. When we laid her on her back, her hips, hock, and shank all felt and looked symmetrical - they still do.
4. None of us can now remember which leg she was hanging by (panic moment)- we think the LEFT leg - and she seems off balance on that side -but the TOES on the right leg are not really "reflex curling" around my thumb when I press her foot. Also - her right leg seems to curl up under her more. Bottom line- we don't know. There is a family debate about which leg is keeping her from standing -and I guess that she could have injuries to both (though only hanging by one).
CURRENT STATUS: She is secured in a small playpen inside and is drinking (had some Rooster Booster and now on fresh water) and eating (voraciously consuming eggs, layer feed, tomatoes). Pooping normally and perky. It has been a day and a half - she hasn't laid an egg yet while inside -but we shall see.
PROBLEM: She cannot get up and walk. Both legs have some mobility, but we cannot tell how much. The incident occurred around 40 hours ago, and she seems slightly better (doesn't fall over if we "test" her ability to walk" - but will not put her feet under her and stand). We can't tell if she is not moving due to pain or if she has permanent mobility issues. Too soon?
QUESTION: Aside from supportive care, is there anything we are missing? Anyone with similar experience? My plan is to keep her inside until she can stand and then allow her to have time in the coop (probably in the confines of a cage) with her flock - but continue to nurse her inside until she is well. Is this realistic? We do not have a vet in our area who will see our birds. Frustrating without seeing any visible injuries - and I'm worried that the "upside down" position might have harmed her as much as the hanging by the leg.
Appreciate your input, Chicken Family!
