Leg injury

[tankle]

I am very new to the chicken thing... One of my bantams injured her leg when one of the nesting boxes unfortunately fell on her. I tried to see if anything was broken, but looks ok...she does not walk on it but hops on one leg. What can I do to help her?

 

[Gen9]

I dealt with this as a chicken newbie within the first year of raising chickens (still consider myself one)... Make her a chicken hammock (there are threads & pictures on here for ideas)... She will progressively get worse as mine did, by day 3 she couldn't even move (must have been in too much pain). I wrapped her leg & toes individually since she kept curling her foot. Taped a triangle shape sponge under her foot. Spoiled her rotten with treats (she lost her appetite). Also took her out of the hammock a few times a day to scratch her neck, back & under wings. When she gained more strength I took her out for "physical therapy" as time went on the sessions got longer & longer. It took 2 full months to recover & another month to introduce her back to the flock.
When you make the hammock be sure she is secure & can't fall out to prevent further injury. Make sure she won't drown in water. Use your chick waterer if you have one still. I think that's it. If I remember anything else I'll let you know.
Give her probiotics & vitamins. I also trimmed her butt feathers to keep her clean... It took a long time to grow back.

 

[tankle]

Thank you so much for your advice. I looked at the hammocks for catching poop. I don't quite understand what you mean using a hammock...sorry if I sound a bit stupid

 

[Gen9]

Not stupid at all! Sorry it took so long to respond. I guess it's called a chicken sling. oops. lol for some reason I thought it was a hammock. Looked like one when I made it.
Here's what I did: here https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...game-hen-last-chance-she-needs-help-update/10
and here https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/713499/my-chicken-sling-pic
Instead of putting together pvc pipes I purchased a pet carrier - enough to carry one or 2 chickens in. You might need this anyway if you plan on raising more or transporting them around. The kind I bought are the carriers you can snap the top and bottom of the carrier together.
I took an old pillow case, cut holes for the legs and vent (so you don't have more of a poop mess already). draped it over the bottom part of the carrier, then snapped on the top half. carefully secured the chicken in the hammock (by adjusting the hammock where she won't fall forward or backward. I've seen better looking ones where the chicken is wrapped up in the sling, one foot is underneath the bird wrapped up with the rest of it, and the other leg is hanging down. I would recommend the bird wrapped up this way. Hope this helps