My Hen Fell Off Roost At Night

[ChickaChickaChooCho000]

Hi, my hen fell off the roost. It was Night time(12am). I was taking out my dog and while we passed the chicken coop, me and my dog heard a big thumping and flapping sound. At first I thought it was a predator that somehow got to either the chickens or pigeons. Or was climbing the fences. But I used my phone flashlight and saw my orange hen flapping at a weird angle like she couldn’t walk, inside the coop floor.

I ran quickly inside the coop to check on her and I thought she was gone for good, you know, death. But no, she most likely fell from the 5-6 feet and it was pitch black. There’s some low perches and some higher. My hen was just on her right side and flapping. I was checking to see if she broke any bones. She probably landed right on her breastbone. And she definitely broke her left knee. I can feel a big bump compared to her right knee. But a few minutes later I lifted her up vertically to check her breast bone for any more injuries and liquidy eggwhite-like fluid came out of her vent. Sadly, I think she also broke an egg in her ovary so she might not make it. She was eating and drinking a little bit, but overall, she seems lethargic and panting a little bit. It’s so sad because she was the best chicken I’ve ever had, very docile, friendly and a cute short stack.

I think her time is soon... ... welp she has been with us for just about 4+ years, and she was definitely very mature but small when I got her. So she must be a lot older than I think. I felt her thighs and they were super thin. I read that THAT also correlated to chicken old age that they may start losing weight. It’s sad she will have to most likely pass away this way. I hope her flock mates don’t get depressed or mourn for too long. Especially the black sexlink who’s been with her since her arrival 4+ years ago. Welp. This is a sad night. Idk if I want to cull her, let my parents cull her or just let her pass naturally because I’m pretty sure she will pass away either way... well, this has been a good run for her... her cute little bunny hops and stubby toes will be missed. Her friendly and calm nature will be hard to find again. She was easily the best chicken I’ve ever had. Most of the others don’t eat out of my hand or let me get near them. This will be a sad few days. New chicks hatching in a week, but they’ll never replace her unique character. This has been Henny(Hennessy-Sunny )...

The photo of her alone is the most recent photo after what recently happened. The water is mixed a little bit of Gatorade cuz apparently it could be given to chickens too if they need some energy or electrolytes. But yeah... ima be sad for a bit. The sapphire hen is the second most docile hen that I’ve had so far, and doesn’t mind eating from my hand. Henny was always the gentle second leader of the flock. The black sexlink is the leader but she’s much more of a bully and bossy. Henny was above the other flock mates but not overly mean or bossy. I feel like the hens will feel her missing presence for sure, I know I will... damn a chicken really got me feeling some type of way..

So should I let her and the flock see each other one last time before she might pass away??..

Alright, this is just a big goodbye post cuz I know things won’t end happily for Henny. Highly likely broken egg inside her, broken leg, possible broken breastbone, old age, .. wish me and the Chickens good luck for the future of the flock.

 

[33ChickenLovers]

Oh no!
I hope she enjoys the last few moments of her life before she flys high 🕊
It happens, it wasn’t your fault. There could be a chance for her to make it but her chances seem pretty slim.
The roost I use for my chickens is a ladder placed slanted (one side on the ground the other high on the wall, so the maximum height isn’t too high. Or for the roost you could try putting a large brick on each side and place the ladder on top.
As a energy drink I just use a tablespoon of sugar, a teas of salt and water. But I noticed chickens love raw egg yolk (not white). They gobble it up in seconds. Try feeding her that.
Also maybe don’t show her to the flock, if they see her suffering and in pain... yeah.
You could end her suffering .. but if you don’t I understand, it’s a hard thing to do.

 

[Chicalina]

Sorry to hear about your chicken injuries.

I'd spend today lowering all of the roosts to 3 or 4 feet off the ground and no higher. You don't want this happening again.

And check all of their feet for bumbles just in case as jumping down from this high can cause those.

Will you cull Henny? It might be the kindest thing for her.

 

[ChickaChickaChooCho000]

Sorry to hear about your chicken injuries.

I'd spend today lowering all of the roosts to 3 or 4 feet off the ground and no higher. You don't want this happening again.

And check all of their feet for bumbles just in case as jumping down from this high can cause those.

Will you cull Henny? It might be the kindest thing for her.

Yes I’d probably do that after work. She also had already damaged toes that don’t latch onto things like a normal hen could. But when I checked inside the coop, all of the hens were in their own spots and didn’t look like they’d push her off. I’m wondering if she was egg bound and it cracked and then she fell down. She is the only hen that doesn’t have good grip on her toes. Plush she is old. It’s sad the good one has to go. Yeah, sadly I might just have to cull her. Thanks tho everyone.

 

[Weeg]

Wait! I think you may be able to do something for her. Lets see what a few experienced members say. Hens can recover from so many terrible things. They're very resilient, you're be surprised. @Eggcessive @Wyorp Rock @casportpony @azygous
Of course, your the only person who can make the decision to cull. You're the only person who can make the right call.

 

[Weeg]

This is what I would do-
I would place her in a small area so she can't stress her knee. Keep her somewhere to limit movement, a crate or sling so that can heal. Can you post photos of her knee? Try to get her hydrated. If she won't drink on her own, you can syringe water into her beak, I can explain how if you decide to go in this direction.
Make a mash with her feed, (over with water and let sit for about 10 minuets) so its easier for her to eat. Add Nutridrench and/or Electrolytes to her water. You can also pop 1/2 a baby Aspirin into her beak to help with pain. I'll explain my approach to this if you decide to go this direction. Keep us posted on your decision, whatever you decide will be the right call.

 

[Weeg]

I’m wondering if she was egg bound and it cracked and then she fell down. She is the only hen that doesn’t have good grip on her toes. Plush she is old.

Did you notice any abnormal behavior? Straining, till down, separating herself, fluffed up or decreased activity? If you didn't, its not likely she was egg bound. Its possible that she just had an egg getting ready to lay in the morning, and it cracked during the fall. Watery white poo can be caused from other reasons as well, that the members I tagged can elaborate on.

 

[Eggcessive]

I would keep her comfortable in a large dog crate with food and water. Offer the wet feed, plus some dry if she prefers that, and most will eat some chopped egg or tuna. This will help force her to rest the leg. If she had an egg break inside her, I would insert a clean finger to feel for any shell or membrane left inside. Her joint may have been hyperextended and sprained, but there could be a broken bone. Splinting could be attempted on the leg, but could you post any pictures? On page 10 of this link is a skeleton picture to identify what bones are broken, and pages 18-22 have info about splinting:
https://theiwrc.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Duerr_Splinting_Manual_2010.pdf

 

[azygous]

There was a lot of grief and love in that eulogy, and a very fine one it was, too, although perhaps a tad premature. Henny may be suffering from shock and maybe even a little stroke that caused her tumble from the high perch.

I would continue the Gatoraid as it will counter the shock, and keep her comfy and quiet for now so she can rest and recover. Chickens can do a very impressive impression of dying, but then the next day, they can spring back to life as if nothing had happened.

As others have said, the leg may be sprained, not broken. Either way, let her rest in a place or crate where she doesn't have to walk on it to eat and drink.

Place some towels under her so you will know how much fluid she may be losing. That might have something to do with the white fluid leaking out of her vent when you found her. That will need to be watched.

 

[ChickaChickaChooCho000]

There was a lot of grief and love in that eulogy, and a very fine one it was, too, although perhaps a tad premature. Henny may be suffering from shock and maybe even a little stroke that caused her tumble from the high perch.

I would continue the Gatoraid as it will counter the shock, and keep her comfy and quiet for now so she can rest and recover. Chickens can do a very impressive impression of dying, but then the next day, they can spring back to life as if nothing had happened.

As others have said, the leg may be sprained, not broken. Either way, let her rest in a place or crate where she doesn't have to walk on it to eat and drink.

Place some towels under her so you will know how much fluid she may be losing. That might have something to do with the white fluid leaking out of her vent when you found her. That will need to be watched.

So I just got back from work and when I asked how she was, it seems my siblings said that she hopped out of her little box during the day(I’m pretty shocked with her broken left knee), but yeah he said that she also laid a big cracked egg, which our family fatty beagle munched up(yeah, she has an eating issue just like many known beagles.) I hope that was the egg that was what came out of her the night before. If anything, I’ll make a splint for her for now and I’ll update if anything else good of bad happens. The main issue is the cracked egg issue. The leg issue has an easier solution but again I’ll update further info. I’ll take what everyone considered doing besides culling. Thanks everyone.