Leg Amputation

[Bawkandbasil]

About 6 days ago one of my 12 week old pullets had a leg amputated above the ankle by something. We cleaned it with chlorhexidine and applied a medicated bandage. She seems to be doing pretty well overall (eating and drinking, not running a fever, trilling when I hold her). She is on chicken safe gabapentin for the pain and is getting additional nutritional supplementation. However, she is pushing the leg she has remaining forward when she tries to stand, and doesn't seem to be able to get it under her. This is causing bruising on her remaining limb's ankle. I made her a sling which she acts comfortable in for a little while but then flaps her wings fairly aggressively, which makes me think she might be uncomfortable in it.
1. Does anyone have any recommendations on how to help rehab her?
2. Is this action normal for a recent amputee?

 

[cavemanrich]

I know you are trying to do whatever is best for your pet chick.
Maybe you can fashion a peg prosthetic thing, so chick can stand, on it, and not hurt bottom of leg. It would have to have soft cushion on inside bottom.
I will tag @CCsGarden . see if she has any suggestions for your chick.

WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[Debbie292d]

Hi,

I've read a few stories about one-legged chickens, and they get along fine as they learn to hop.

Perhaps you can fashion something to make a boot on the stump to prevent it from getting hurt, like a small sock. If you have no such thing and there's a Goodwill near you, they more than likely would have some infant socks or booties that might work.

Eventually, she's going to have to learn to hop on one leg and not use that, and I'm sure she will.

 

[Debbie292d]

I found a video made by a member of their one-legged young chicken.

 

[Bsmac]

So sorry about your bird. I hope she continues to heal and learns to hop to get around.

 

[CascadiaRiver]

I don't mean this in a mean way, just curiously. Does this not come with long term health issues or concerns? She likely wouldn't be able to free-range due to being unable to escape from predators right? Does arthritis form quicker due to the over-use of one leg and all of the weight being shifted to the one side? Do you have to keep them slim to avoid extra weight on the leg? Do the other chickens pick on them because they're weird, or is the concern there just making sure they don't get bullied around food?

 

[CCsGarden]

About 6 days ago one of my 12 week old pullets had a leg amputated above the ankle by something. We cleaned it with chlorhexidine and applied a medicated bandage. She seems to be doing pretty well overall (eating and drinking, not running a fever, trilling when I hold her). She is on chicken safe gabapentin for the pain and is getting additional nutritional supplementation. However, she is pushing the leg she has remaining forward when she tries to stand, and doesn't seem to be able to get it under her. This is causing bruising on her remaining limb's ankle. I made her a sling which she acts comfortable in for a little while but then flaps her wings fairly aggressively, which makes me think she might be uncomfortable in it.
1. Does anyone have any recommendations on how to help rehab her?
2. Is this action normal for a recent amputee?

I'm sorry, but I'm not to sure how to help. Does feel broken? A picture would help

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I don't mean this in a mean way, just curiously. Does this not come with long term health issues or concerns? She likely wouldn't be able to free-range due to being unable to escape from predators right? Does arthritis form quicker due to the over-use of one leg and all of the weight being shifted to the one side? Do you have to keep them slim to avoid extra weight on the leg? Do the other chickens pick on them because they're weird, or is the concern there just making sure they don't get bullied around food?

My one leg hens are penned up now, but one was free range for over a year after her injury (frostbite). She was an easy target for breeding, but other than that didn't get picked on much at all. Her other leg has changed over the last year and a half, becoming a bit more puffy, but she isn't showing any discomfort. I try to just let her brood as much as she wants so she isn't standing a ton.

 

[The Moonshiner]

I don't mean this in a mean way, just curiously. Does this not come with long term health issues or concerns? She likely wouldn't be able to free-range due to being unable to escape from predators right? Does arthritis form quicker due to the over-use of one leg and all of the weight being shifted to the one side? Do you have to keep them slim to avoid extra weight on the leg? Do the other chickens pick on them because they're weird, or is the concern there just making sure they don't get bullied around food?

I've had 2 and they lived normal lives with no issues from it except one was older and she quit laying after that. Could of been a coincidence.
One was an escape artist and one of the hardest to run down and catch that I've ever had.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I've had 2 and they lived normal lives with no issues from it except one was older and she quit laying after that. Could of been a coincidence.
One was an escape artist and one of the hardest to run down and catch that I've ever had.

They make up for the lack of a leg by being way smarter than any chicken has the right to be