My pullet got her head stuck in the door - hoping she will be able to walk again soon!

[Fireside Acres]

My lavender hen who is pretty special - one of two hens who have to be picked up and loved on - got her head stuck in the door somehow. I've installed an inner wire door now so this can't happen in the future. She was wobbly but walking, so I gave her some nutri-drench and vitamin b along with a tiny bit of selenium/vitamin E paste after reading another thread - and have her indoors. She has pretty spastic movements 2 days in to this trauma, so I made her a chicken walker so her legs won't lose strength and she isn't always laying down. My cat Ivy has been super attentive to her, as she is with the baby goats as well. I put Shade's food at the level where she has to push up slightly to get to it so she exercises her legs. I'm an injury and sports massage therapist, so I am giving her massage and range of motion exercises as well. Am I missing anything else that I should be doing? I am also using one drop of oregano oil and ChickBoost minerals and probiotics in her water as well. Do you think she'll recover her balance?

 

[ackie]

I'm not sure if she will fully recover or not (just not an area I have any experience in), but it sounds like you're off to a good start and she's lucky to have a personal injury therapist. Is she eating and drinking normally? If you aren't sure on her consumption, you can tell by whether her poops are normal or not

 

[Fireside Acres]

Thanks jwehl - yes she is eating drinking and pooping normally. I made the chicken sling so she wouldn't recover and have more weight on weak legs - I am hoping she exercises her muscles so they don't atrophy while she is recovering - fingers crossed.

 

[Fireside Acres]

Thanks jwehl - yes she is eating drinking and pooping normally. I made the chicken sling so she wouldn't recover and have more weight on weak legs - I am hoping she exercises her muscles so they don't atrophy while she is recovering - fingers crossed.

LOL I worded that weird - I don't want her gaining weight without using her legs - so when she recovers her balance she'll be strong enough to get up and walk - just to clarify. I've started putting her on a blanket so she can preen and use her wings more - she's still a bit off balanced but not falling on her side or having spasms and putting herself on her back anymore lol. Progress. About 10% of my Bresse are this cool with the rest acting like friendly meat birds.

 

[Weeg]

This is very cool! I love your approach. In your care, I bet she will be doing great and back on her feet in no time! Try to take her out of the walker from time to time, so that she can use her legs on her own as well. Good job with her, I don't think I can offer much more advice. Good job!

 

[Fireside Acres]

So Shade was getting depressed - not eating as well - maybe having some leg spasms as her injury heals - massaging and spending more time with her on my person wasn't working. So brought in a buddy she likes - Nori. Made a HUGE difference - Shade is eating and perked up. Her legs are spastic - so hoping she is on a trajectory towards healing.

 

[Weeg]

Great idea! I keep trying to think of anything else that you can give her, or do for her, but after rereading your firs post I think you have it covered. I love the name Shade by the way! Good job with her, maybe @Overo Mare @Wyorp Rock @Eggcessive can give some insight on wether her balance will come back or not? I am no expert in this field, all I know is you are doing a great job taking care of her! Keep up the good work!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

nutri-drench and vitamin b along with a tiny bit of selenium/vitamin E paste

ChickBoost minerals

It's hard to know if she will make a full recovery or not. I think you are doing what you can for her.

 

[Eggcessive]

Hopefully, her legs will get stronger with time. The vitamins are a food idea. B complex 1/4 tablet daily that provides riboflavin and other B’s is one favorite. Could you take a good picture or two of your homemade sling and post it on the chicken sling thread here?
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/versions-of-chick-chairs-please.1166308/