Injured leg

[Jenifa]

One of my bantam roosters was attacked by a dog two days ago. He has been favoring his right leg since then. We don’t see any wounds, but other than brief moments of standing and limping around, he mostly wants to lay down and rest. At first he couldn’t even tilt his head down to eat without falling forward, and now, he can stand a for a few seconds and eat scratch off the ground so he does seem to be improving. I’ve been bringing him inside during the day. In the evening last night, I brought him outside with the other chickens and they don't seem to be bothering him. He seemed happier with his flock. He did painfully limp his way to the coop when everyone else went and I let him sleep in the coop overnight. He is eating well when I feed him, but I haven’t seen him drink on his own and I have been giving him water with a syringe. Should I put him outside with the flock more often and let hIm heal on his own, or continue to keep him inside most of the time? Should I put him in a sling? Any advice is appreciated.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

You don't see any puncture wounds or bruising? Checked really well along the back, under the wings/neck, around the vent, etc.?
Sounds like he did suffer injury, whether he was squeezed or just rolled badly - hard to know.
If he's having trouble bending his neck to get water, make it available to him in a deep dish placed on a platform like a block or piece of wood - raise the water and feed so he's not having to reach down so far.
He does need hydration, so if he can't drink with the water/feed raised, then make sure you are syringing fluids into him frequently.

If he has no open wounds that flies can get into or that the hens won't peck, then at least taking him outside to be with the hens daily is a good idea. As long as they aren't pecking him.

If he can walk, then I wouldn't place him in a sling. Let him move about on his own free will. An injured chicken will usually self limit activity for several days, but then begin to move more.

 

[Jenifa]

You don't see any puncture wounds or bruising? Checked really well along the back, under the wings/neck, around the vent, etc.?
Sounds like he did suffer injury, whether he was squeezed or just rolled badly - hard to know.
If he's having trouble bending his neck to get water, make it available to him in a deep dish placed on a platform like a block or piece of wood - raise the water and feed so he's not having to reach down so far.
He does need hydration, so if he can't drink with the water/feed raised, then make sure you are syringing fluids into him frequently.

If he has no open wounds that flies can get into or that the hens won't peck, then at least taking him outside to be with the hens daily is a good idea. As long as they aren't pecking him.

If he can walk, then I wouldn't place him in a sling. Let him move about on his own free will. An injured chicken will usually self limit activity for several days, but then begin to move more.

Thank you! This is helpful. He is finally starting to drink on his own when I coax him, but I haven’t caught him drinking completely of his own free will. He’s definitely eating. He mostly does both while laying down.
How often should I be making sure he drinks and eats? He seemed a little better last night and had more energy. This morning he’s quieter again. Maybe he’s just stiff.
The other thing I have noticed is the tips of his comb seem to be staying darker, almost purple. Is this a sign of stress, or something more?

 

[Jenifa]

Thank you! This is helpful. He is finally starting to drink on his own when I coax him, but I haven’t caught him drinking completely of his own free will. He’s definitely eating. He mostly does both while laying down.
How often should I be making sure he drinks and eats? He seemed a little better last night and had more energy. This morning he’s quieter again. Maybe he’s just stiff.
The other thing I have noticed is the tips of his comb seem to be staying darker, almost purple. Is this a sign of stress, or something more?

We did check really well for puncture wounds. He was definitely squeezed because I caught the dog doing it. He was pinned to the ground and the dog had its mouth on him. When I yelled, the dog let go, and the rooster jumped up and limped off under the house. When I got to him he was laying completely over on his side and I thought at first that he was dead.

In the dog’s defense, he has never attacked any of our chickens before. This one rooster just keeps antagonizing the dog and I think he finally had enough. They’ll definitely be separated in the future.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Thank you! This is helpful. He is finally starting to drink on his own when I coax him, but I haven’t caught him drinking completely of his own free will. He’s definitely eating. He mostly does both while laying down.
How often should I be making sure he drinks and eats? He seemed a little better last night and had more energy. This morning he’s quieter again. Maybe he’s just stiff.
The other thing I have noticed is the tips of his comb seem to be staying darker, almost purple. Is this a sign of stress, or something more?

Can you get some photos?

The comb becoming darker - is he breathing ok?