Leg/foot injury

[JillD413]

My 18 week old pullet managed to get her leg hung in the arm of a garden chair. She was hanging upside down when I got home. I was gone for about an hour and a half. When I freed her she could barely walk on the leg that was hung. It does not feel like any bone was broken. She is isolated with food and water. Epsom soak? Leave her alone to heal? Work her leg and foot as therapy? Suggestions please.

 

[pennyJo1960]

I would not leave the wrap on for long JMHO

 

[JillD413]

I just checked on her again. She is standing up getting water. I will keep her quarantined tonight so she doesn’t have to jump up or down getting on or off the perch. I hope I am not speaking too soon but I think she will be okay.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hi Jill.

I think I she will probably restrict her own activity. I would keep her near the others but on clean dry bedding.
It looks like she's damaged the scales on her leg as well. I would put a little triple antibiotic ointment on that during the day to help it heal.
See if the swelling goes down a little by tomorrow, you can always soak in the epsom salts a few days after injury to help reduce swelling and bruising.

Poor thing! I'm glad you found her, chickens can get themselves into all sorts of trouble.

 

[JillD413]

Hi Jill.

I think I she will probably restrict her own activity. I would keep her near the others but on clean dry bedding.
It looks like she's damaged the scales on her leg as well. I would put a little triple antibiotic ointment on that during the day to help it heal.
See if the swelling goes down a little by tomorrow, you can always soak in the epsom salts a few days after injury to help reduce swelling and bruising.

Poor thing! I'm glad you found her, chickens can get themselves into all sorts of trouble.

Thanks! The area where she is has visual access by all other flock members. Her sisters stayed in close proximity to her all afternoon yesterday. One of my concerns is Buffy, the lowest in the hierarchy of the laying hens, tends to chase the pullets. I didn’t/don’t want Buffy to compound any issue Flossie might have. I’ll let you know how she is doing this morning. I’m happy to say that I saw Flossie stand and drink water right before dark last night. I did hand feed her a couple of times after her injury. Flossie was fed 10% fat content Greek yogurt and some Hot Cake which she gobbled up!

 

[JillD413]

I would in general agree - wrapping things too tightly can cause more damage if you start to cut off blood supply.

Thanks! I didn’t wrap it tightly. . I also double checked her toes to be sure they weren’t cold. The wrapping was primarily to keep the blue ointment on her leg and provide only a slight amount of compression. I also didn’t leave it on for a long time. I appreciate your input.

 

[JillD413]

I looked at your pic. I'm not trying to make light of her leg. My bird would not open her toes as she got that foot really stuck in the wire cage right up to where her feathers are on her leg. She could not weigh bear at all. She could hobble to get away from other birds. I did PT on the leg. Just straighten it out back and forth. Took about 2 weeks where she would limp on it. My biggest concerns were pain management. Baby Aspirin morning and night and making sure she was eating and drinking. Feeding and waterer her away from the others as I said before. I feed her about every 2 hours. Funny bird she won't have anything to do with me now even after all that TLC. My other bird who I believe jumped off the high roost and hurt her foot. Sprain I think. She hangs around me all the time. Right beside me in the run and coop. And won't go away until I pick her up. She is a BR. Good luck have patience if you can. Make sure she is eating, pooping and drinking. This was traumatic for her and she is probably a little depressed. Mine was.

Thank you so much for the encouragement. I do PT and have given her a nice epsom salt soak. She is eating, drinking and pooping. She is in our “hospital” which is a section of the run that provides full view of the other girls, is covered, and provides her peace and quiet. I make sure to pick her up, gently work her injured leg and hand feed her. I will continue to nurse her. Fortunately I am retired so I have the freedom to devote as much time as it takes. . I appreciate your input and encouragement.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

My 18 week old pullet managed to get her leg hung in the arm of a garden chair. She was hanging upside down when I got home. I was gone for about an hour and a half. When I freed her she could barely walk on the leg that was hung. It does not feel like any bone was broken. She is isolated with food and water. Epsom soak? Leave her alone to heal? Work her leg and foot as therapy? Suggestions please.

I had her soak in a warm epsom salt bath for about 15 minutes, put some blue ointment on her leg, wrapped it in a thin layer of gauze then taped it for a small amount of pressure to help reduce the swelling. I think there should be some sign of improvement after a week. Oh - I also put vitamins in her water. Hopefully the efforts will help. ❤❤❤

I'm sorry, I misunderstood. I assumed from your first post on Friday that the injury had just happened, I didn't realize it had been a whole week (7days).

Are the photos current or when she did it a week ago?

 

[JillD413]

I'm sorry, I misunderstood. I assumed from your first post on Friday that the injury had just happened, I didn't realize it had been a whole week (7days).

Are the photos current or when she did it a week ago?

You are correct with your initial interpretation. The post was done right after Flossie’s injury. I was trying to convey that I think there should be some improvement after a week. Hopefully with some tender loving care she will make a full recovery. I’m willing to be patient with her recovery.

 

[JillD413]

You are correct with your initial interpretation. The post was done right after Flossie’s injury. I was trying to convey that I think there should be some improvement after a week. Hopefully with some tender loving care she will make a full recovery. I’m willing to be patient with her recovery.

You are correct with your initial interpretation. The post was done right after Flossie’s injury. I was trying to convey that I think there should be some improvement after a week. Hopefully with some tender loving care she will make a full recovery. I’m willing to be patient with her recovery.

The more understandable way to have written that sentence would be to have said that I hope there will be visible improvement after a week. Sometimes I think folks are clairvoyant and know what is in my head. LOL!