Looking for Advice from Experienced Chicken Owners

[johnhallford]

I am new to owning chickens having moved to a country home mid-August. All was well until the flock went to the property next door where the owner has two bird dogs. They caught one of the girls, and each time she tried to escape the dogs caught her and returned her to the spot where they caught her. I rescued the chicken from the dogs, but they had injured her badly.

An area on her left back was bloodied but has healed nicely. A problem that does not seem to be healing is her right leg. While she will get up and move about, it is very apparent there is a problem with it. Very little weight bearing, and her toes are curled up. It has been eleven days since the injury, and I am not sure the leg is healing. She is eating, drinking, and pooping, and she is alert and behaves like a chicken otherwise. Also, she is separated from her nest mates in another pen for now.

I need a bit of advice. She is not a pet but is kept for egg production. I am at a point of trying to figure out if I need to put her down or wait to see if the leg heals. Any thoughts on the matter will be very much appreciated. And while I don't want her to suffer, a friend of mine who used to keep chickens suggested caging her and waiting to see how she turns out. That's what I did, but now I am wondering if it was the right decision.

Thank you for any advice you offer. Much appreciated.

 

[McChooky]

I am new to owning chickens having moved to a country home mid-August. All was well until the flock went to the property next door where the owner has two bird dogs. They caught one of the girls, and each time she tried to escape the dogs caught her and returned her to the spot where they caught her. I rescued the chicken from the dogs, but they had injured her badly.

An area on her left back was bloodied but has healed nicely. A problem that does not seem to be healing is her right leg. While she will get up and move about, it is very apparent there is a problem with it. Very little weight bearing, and her toes are curled up. It has been eleven days since the injury, and I am not sure the leg is healing. She is eating, drinking, and pooping, and she is alert and behaves like a chicken otherwise. Also, she is separated from her nest mates in another pen for now.

I need a bit of advice. She is not a pet but is kept for egg production. I am at a point of trying to figure out if I need to put her down or wait to see if the leg heals. Any thoughts on the matter will be very much appreciated. And while I don't want her to suffer, a friend of mine who used to keep chickens suggested caging her and waiting to see how she turns out. That's what I did, but now I am wondering if it was the right decision.

Thank you for any advice you offer. Much appreciated.

Our hen managed to escape a predator attack with no injuries last fall but she landed at the bottom of a steep hill when she took flight to get away.It took 4- 6 weeks before she could put any weight on it so I kept her inside. After she was able to hop around I added her back to the flock and she healed nicely.

 

[johnhallford]

Thanks for the reply. That's encouraging. She is inside a pen within the pen which puts her with her flock. I have her separated, because I read that other hens may peck her to death when exploring the visible injury to her back. I'll continue the current routine to see if she eventually puts weight on the leg. Thanks again.

 

[my spoiled chickens]

Thanks for the reply. That's encouraging. She is inside a pen within the pen which puts her with her flock. I have her separated, because I read that other hens may peck her to death when exploring the visible injury to her back. I'll continue the current routine to see if she eventually puts weight on the leg. Thanks again.

Yeah the flock tries to kill a weak bird to eliminate the weaknd chain

 

[BigBlueHen53]

How's the wound on her back? Can you post a picture? If it's still raw, you might want to rinse it twice daily with sterile saline solution and keep it coated with triple antibiotic ointment to promote healing. The ointment should not contain pain reliever.

Welcome to BYC, by the way!

 

[johnhallford]

How's the wound on her back? Can you post a picture? If it's still raw, you might want to rinse it twice daily with sterile saline solution and keep it coated with triple antibiotic ointment to promote healing. The ointment should not contain pain reliever.

Welcome to BYC, by the way!

I'll have to get a picture tomorrow. It's dark out there now. However, I looked at it earlier today, and it seemed to be healing. The fact she is eating and drinking seemed to be a good sign.

 

[Eggcessive]

I agree that what you are doing, keeping her with the flock within a crate is best. Make sure that she can reach food and water. A chicken sling can be helpful to keep her upright and in front of food and water for periods throughout the day. Pictures of her wounds would be helpful.

 

[Eggcessive]

Here are some pictures and a video of chicken slings innposts 5, 11-14:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/versions-of-chick-chairs-please.1166308/

 

[dawg53]

Most likely your hen has a sprained or strained ligament or tendon. These types of injuries take time to heal, it could be a few weeks to a few months. It depends on the severity of the injury.
You've been given good advice already, keep up the good work and continue what you're doing. Time heals.

 

[johnhallford]

Several of you asked for photos of her injury on the back. I tried to take photos this morning, but she does not want to be handled right now, and her left wing pretty much covers the injury. From what I can see when able to peek under the wing it appears to be healing. Also, she was up today with all toes on the injured side extended for a least a few moments. I have high hopes that time is all it takes. Still eating and drinking, and here pen mates are hanging out with her on the other side of the cage that separates them. Good friends are hard to find.