is it possible for a chicken to sprain her back toe?

[The Zoo]

I came home from vacation to a chicken with a pretty serious limp. Other than that she's fine.
She will let me manipulate her three front toes but when I touch the back one she flails around. I've isolated her in a kennel for the past 3 days and it's gotten a little better but not much. I don't think it's broken as she can curl that foot up completely. She is eating and drinkign fine, there's no swelling, its just very sensitive.
Can chickens take advil?

 

[Matt A NC]

Advil is too strong. Pain med for a chicken is 5 regular aspirin dissolved in 1 Gal of water. It will just take the edge off.

I would bet it is broken in the toe or at least was pulled way back and was dislocated or something. As long as there is no swelling and no other problems, then she should be fine with nothing more then TIME.

Matt

 

[The Zoo]

thanks - should I keep her isolated or can I put her back in the coop?

 

[Matt A NC]

As long as there is no one that picks on her, she should be fine and probably happier with the other birds. Just remember she will not move around a whole lot while it is still really sore.

She should start to slowly get better in a few days. If it is the tendens and not the bone that takes LONGER to heal.

If she can roost, I would not let her be too high for jumping down in the mornings.

Matt

 

[The Zoo]

thanks - I put her back out and we'll see how she does. If it gets worse, I'll bring her back in. I gave her a 1/4 tablet of a baby aspirin. Should I do that once a day?

It's always something with these guys!

 

[The Zoo]

she's still limping pretty badly

I've been giving her 1/4 baby aspirin a day - does anyone know if that's too much or just right? I've got her outside with the others but she's definitely not getting better. AUGH!

 

[Matt A NC]

The aspirin was only to make her confortable so you could check her. After a couple days she doesn't need it.

The pain killer can do more harm then good at this point. The pain lets her know how much pressure she can place on the injury without causing more damage. With the little bit of pain killer, she can put more pressure on it and may be keeping it from getting well.

An injury like this will not get better in just a few days. It will take a good week to see any progress and it could take longer.

Just get a check on her for infection and I would go over her again to make sure there is nothing else wrong.

Matt