Need some help with rescued chick - foot/leg swollen & purple

[BrattishTaz]

I know it can be really hard to tell but have you noticed if the injured foot is cooler or warmer than the other? Cold would indicate loss of circulation and hot/very warm would be infection. It could just be bruising. In a person you would want to reduce swelling with a cold compress to help prevent tissue damage and loss of blood flow. Asprin would help with inflammation too but I have no idea what dosage to use and it might cause more bleeding inside the foot if it is a bruise.

I hope it recovers.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I hope the little one pulls through, all the best to you both..

 

[ZooMummzy]

Thanks everyone! I'm happy to report this morning that after removing her friend and removing the bandage (to flatten her toes) from her foot, she is eating. Actually, she started late last night. I got up to check on her and she was at the food bowl and has been several times this morning. I'm thinking now that the bandage on her other foot was causing her pain. The bad foot color looks better, still black/blue around the toe joint area and her one toe nail is black, but the rest is looking more normal. She is going crazy trying to clean herself and scratch her ears without falling down. I shouldn't laugh, it's a serious problem, but it's comical to watch. I help her out whenever I see it. She actually gets around pretty good but I am concerned for later in life when she gets heavier. I so wish she was a bantam like my other chicken with a bad leg.

 

[Miss Lydia]

that is great news,

but the scratching is a little worrying, have you checked her real good to see if she has lice or mites? when a chick is in a compromised condition they can pick up these bugs pretty fast, and thats something you don't want to have to deal with, plus it would bring her down fast. Does she still have the other little chick for a companion?

 

[ZooMummzy]

Quote:
Yes, I checked her. Her feathers are coming in so she is doing that scratch they all do. No, I took her companion out and put her with my other chicks. It seems to make Sonya happy to be alone so I'm not going to fight it. She has been at the food bowl singing that happy trilly song for the past 15 minutes. My other chicken with a bad leg does not like to be around other chickens either. I tried and it never went well. It's weird but as long as she is eating, whatever makes her happy!

 

[Miss Lydia]

yep and sounds great to hear she is doing so well please check back in and keep us updated.

 

[drumstick diva]

You are such a good person to rescue the "damaged" chicks. Is it possible to scratch her ears for her now and then since she can't do it. Like the other poster said, maybe she has lice/mites. Poor little thing - when they start trilling and eating it just warms your heart. I am subscribing to this thread and hope she just keeps doing better and better. Get well quick - cutie pie.

 

[ZooMummzy]

Thank you. It all started with a spraddle leg bantam EE 3 years ago. I've saved quite a few and lost quite a few. The ones that make it have a cushy life, as close to being a normal chicken as possible - depending on their individual situation of course. The ones that don't make it, at least they knew love and didn't die in a bin. I'm 2 out of 3 now this season though it's a little distressing since it is only the second week of chicks! 14 more weeks to go....

I will keep an eye on the scratching and yes, she is in my office and since I am addicted to Farmville lol I am in here quite a bit during the day so I can keep her properly scratched

 

[Miss Lydia]

I have to say I love your avatar, what breed?

 

[ZooMummzy]

Thanks! That is my little Miranda - she is from my blue Silkie/Cochin roos and my blue Naked Neck Frizzle hen. I have about 5 of her from my hatches the last couple months. Two of them are blue and the other 3 are splashes - none frizzled but all with 5 toes. The other 5 from the hatches - same pairing - are frizzled but look like silkies.