Just amputated a chicken leg

[TundraFang]

So last night i was at a farm helping out with some horses when I noticed a little cockerel sleeping nearby. As I got near him he tried to run away but his leg was dragging behind him. I caught him and they gave him to me for free. His leg was infected so I drained it and wrapped it. This morning I checked on him and the leg had turned completely green and smelled awful. I read some articles on leg amputation in chickens and many chickens have survived leg amputations and lived normally. I decided to try and save him.

 

[Mellowmalt]

what with a butchers cleaver?

 

[TundraFang]

I sterilized some wire cutters and set up a work station. I don't have painkillers or anesthetic so I had two family members helping me hold him. I wrapped the chicken's upper half and good leg in a towel and had paper towels ready to stop the bleeding. I crushed the ball part of the femur and popped it out of the hip and in one clean cut it was gone. I applied pressure and the bleeding stopped fairly quickly. I had plenty of skin to sew the wound closed and he was able to stand an hour after surgery.

 

[tripletfeb]

Wow, hope he continues to improve! Do you have anything for an infection or pain?

 

[TundraFang]

He took a few hops and drank some water so I wrapped him into a chicken-burrito and he's been steadily drinking and eating all morning. I'm going to try to keep him off his good leg for a while so he doesn't reopen the wound. I've given him some nutri-drench in his water and fed him some mash.

 

[TundraFang]

Wow, hope he continues to improve! Do you have anything for an infection or pain?

I have blu-kote but I didn't apply any because I won't be able to see it if it's purple. Do you recommend anything? I have a tractor supply nearby so maybe they have something I could use.

 

[tripletfeb]

I have blu-kote but I didn't apply any because I won't be able to see it if it's purple. Do you recommend anything? I have a tractor supply nearby so maybe they have something I could use.

I'm not an expert so I wouldn't know what to get or use. I can tag someone who can help if it becomes needed @Wyorp Rock

 

[tripletfeb]

Can we get pictures of the leg area and the bird?

 

[TundraFang]

Can we get pictures of the leg area and the bird?

 

[TundraFang]

I'm pretty sure he's an Australorp but he might have some Silkie in him because there were silkies wandering around as well.