Hi Everyone, I have a trio of Barred Rock Chicks & at 13 weeks of age one of them stopped walking. I still had this trio sleeping indoors at night, as they are complete "chickens" of the three One Year Old chickens that live in our outside coop.
It was early afternoon & I got home from work and took the young ones out of their small indoor coop to run free in the backyard. When I took the 3rd one out (she's always been the smallest) she went to catch up to the other two. She ran about 2 feet before her legs crossed over and she fell down. She got back up, ran about 6 more feet & fell over again. She got up a 3rd time and ran a few feet, jumped into a raised garden bed with the other 2, and then she lay down amongst the plants. A few hours later she just lay on her side not attempting to get up..
I did as our 4H leader advised and separated it from the other 2, "just in case" it had an illness vs an injury. We were leaving on a one week camping trip the next day and ended up taking this lame chicken with us. It wouldn't get up for food or water, but happily ate and drank when supported at the dishes. We also discovered she liked blueberries, ham, and corn on the cob. She also seemed to enjoy the front seat car ride & going on vacation!
I thought at first that it had a leg sprain. They often run around the dining room table on our painted cement floor, and sometimes their legs slip out from under them. I had read that it can take up to two weeks for the sprain to heal. It's been 3 weeks today, and I'm not sure if I should humanely put the chick down, or if I should hang in there and see if a miracle happens by week 4.
It continues to eat and drink well, but I know it is definitely smaller & skinnier than the other two. It's eyes are clear & it's very aware of everything around it. The other two chickens still feel content to be near her, and often seek her out to eat with her when I've got her in the backyard. She sleeps on a dog bed & flannel sheets beside the inside coop.
When I carry her outside she moves both legs independently (while being held in the air) and flaps her wings very strongly. I have been doing daily "hydrotherapy" with her in a big Rubbermaid bucket. I use plain water, a temperature that's not to hot & definitely not too cold. I do this not only to clean off any stuck on poop, but to give the leg a chance to soak in some soothing water. She will stand in the bucket on her own, but only when leaning against the sides. She often has a leg up while in the bucket. Sometimes that one leg will shake for awhile after she's been in the water.
I was giving her until today before I thought I'd have to make the decision to put her down. Yesterday she rallied around with a bit more strength. After her hydrotherapy soak & sitting on my lap to eat and drink, I layed her on a beach towel on the cement patio. I normally only lay her down on the grass, and she just lays there looking around. When she was on the deck she pushed herself around really well trying to get to any little bug or speck of sand she saw. She seemed very content to be put on the dirt as well, and managed to shuffle herself around quite a bit. Unfortunately, I did notice a couple hours later that she must have rubbed two of her toes to a bright pink during the patio time. I put polysporin on them once I saw that. Other than that, her feet & legs have continued to be healthy & smooth. There is no "bumblefoot" going on that I can see. She also seems to feel no pain when I stroke her feet.
What would you do? And I know there are several "non chicken" people that think I'm nuts for putting in the time & effort that's already occurred. Do any of you experienced chicken people think I should hold out a little longer, or is it time to put her down humanely?
I'd really appreciate any helpful feedback. Thanks so much.
It was early afternoon & I got home from work and took the young ones out of their small indoor coop to run free in the backyard. When I took the 3rd one out (she's always been the smallest) she went to catch up to the other two. She ran about 2 feet before her legs crossed over and she fell down. She got back up, ran about 6 more feet & fell over again. She got up a 3rd time and ran a few feet, jumped into a raised garden bed with the other 2, and then she lay down amongst the plants. A few hours later she just lay on her side not attempting to get up..
I did as our 4H leader advised and separated it from the other 2, "just in case" it had an illness vs an injury. We were leaving on a one week camping trip the next day and ended up taking this lame chicken with us. It wouldn't get up for food or water, but happily ate and drank when supported at the dishes. We also discovered she liked blueberries, ham, and corn on the cob. She also seemed to enjoy the front seat car ride & going on vacation!
I thought at first that it had a leg sprain. They often run around the dining room table on our painted cement floor, and sometimes their legs slip out from under them. I had read that it can take up to two weeks for the sprain to heal. It's been 3 weeks today, and I'm not sure if I should humanely put the chick down, or if I should hang in there and see if a miracle happens by week 4.
It continues to eat and drink well, but I know it is definitely smaller & skinnier than the other two. It's eyes are clear & it's very aware of everything around it. The other two chickens still feel content to be near her, and often seek her out to eat with her when I've got her in the backyard. She sleeps on a dog bed & flannel sheets beside the inside coop.
When I carry her outside she moves both legs independently (while being held in the air) and flaps her wings very strongly. I have been doing daily "hydrotherapy" with her in a big Rubbermaid bucket. I use plain water, a temperature that's not to hot & definitely not too cold. I do this not only to clean off any stuck on poop, but to give the leg a chance to soak in some soothing water. She will stand in the bucket on her own, but only when leaning against the sides. She often has a leg up while in the bucket. Sometimes that one leg will shake for awhile after she's been in the water.
I was giving her until today before I thought I'd have to make the decision to put her down. Yesterday she rallied around with a bit more strength. After her hydrotherapy soak & sitting on my lap to eat and drink, I layed her on a beach towel on the cement patio. I normally only lay her down on the grass, and she just lays there looking around. When she was on the deck she pushed herself around really well trying to get to any little bug or speck of sand she saw. She seemed very content to be put on the dirt as well, and managed to shuffle herself around quite a bit. Unfortunately, I did notice a couple hours later that she must have rubbed two of her toes to a bright pink during the patio time. I put polysporin on them once I saw that. Other than that, her feet & legs have continued to be healthy & smooth. There is no "bumblefoot" going on that I can see. She also seems to feel no pain when I stroke her feet.
What would you do? And I know there are several "non chicken" people that think I'm nuts for putting in the time & effort that's already occurred. Do any of you experienced chicken people think I should hold out a little longer, or is it time to put her down humanely?
I'd really appreciate any helpful feedback. Thanks so much.
