OH NO!!!!! Trouble in the newbies house! :( HELP!

[Tikkijane]

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This happened to one of my chicks- we think they should be almost a week old. The feeder I have was gifted to me by dh, who went to TSC and got the chicks starter kit- not the feeder type I wanted, but I'm not one to get too picky about gifts.

It could have been bad had she faller into the water, which is next to the feeder. Fortunately, I got right to her and got her out; she doesn't seem any worse for the wear. But, I am going to get a different feeder this afternoon and see if I can find a water bottle wtih nipple....

I am such a worrier!!!

 

[cobrien]

some people take their chickens to the vet. it is not practical for most but it is something you could consider. it is her best chance to live with a working leg and without pain. i do it. it is expensive but they are my pets and i am happier taking them to the vet and paying the bill than the alternatives - just my personal choice. i hope it heals well and she regains full use of her leg. if it doesn't, she can get by with one leg but she might get picked on.

I have had a 3 legged Cochin for 6 years. i got her at 4 months, she was injured as a chick. the farmer was going to cull her. She was big relative to the rest and did well for the first 4 years, did not get picked on and got around great. she is "Special Edna"

. I then added young ones to my flock. the young ones will kill her if i leave them together so she is separated with a few docile smaller hens.

if you do go to a vet, for this particular problem you'd want a very good avian vet, one with chicken experience. otherwise i might not bother unless you just need antibiotics or simple pain killers. i could be wrong...just my experience that the less experienced avian vets will inevitably do their diagnostics and in the end send you home with pain meds, antibiotics and maybe inject some fluids, all of which i can do on my own. however i am clueless with a possible bone injury like this. if you are by chance anywhere near northern CA I highly recommend Dr. Speer in Oakley CA. He is a world renowned avian vet and actually cheaper than avian vets that are closer to me.

if not i think you are doing all you can, i'd try the splint as another suggested. you could also ask for advice on BYC for a pain reliever - I've never given any to young chicks but have given aspirin, meloxicam, carprofen, butorphanol and metacam to adults. I think metacam and meloxicam may be the same thing, not sure. Butorphanol is pretty heavy duty (i think an opiate) but the others are more of an anti-inflammatory.

good luck!

 

[csummer8882]

Well, I just heard screaching. I went in and she jumped out of the separate container I had her in. The others were pecking her poor foot. She was walking on it! Yay!!!!!!!!! I separated her again and have put a "cover" on top so she won't jump out again. I hope that works! Thank you so much everyone!

 

[CrazyCatLady76]

Quote:
Metacam is a brand name of meloxicam. I don't know about the generics, but the brand name is only USDA labeled for use in dogs. Using it in any other animal is considered off-label drug use and should only be done under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian. And if a vet gives you Metacam for off-label use and doesn't pound it into you that you must be very, very careful with your dosing due to its concentration...find another vet. You can OD an animal and burn up its liver and kidneys with that stuff if you're not careful.

Butorphanol is a narcotic, and the most common brand names are only labeled for use in dogs and horses. Everything about off-label drug use above applies here. When using narcotics in something with as little body weight as a chicken, keep an eye on their breathing the first few doses, as these drugs depress the respiratory drive. It's usually not enough to cause any breathing difficulties at a normal dosage, but with really small body weights it's easier to make mistakes calculating and dispensing dosages.

You should also consult with a vet before giving any sort of over-the-counter pain reliever for humans. There are many medicines we can break down that critters can't, so please be careful for your birdies' sake.

 

[ginger c.]

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Three legs?!?!
Good luck to you, too. Catching her must be a real chore.

 

[wayneh]

got my best girl out the other day to show the son-in-law and let the door fall and hit her in the head. most of the impact was to my arm, but it did hit her little head. she didn't seem bothered by it and suffered no ill effects so everything is aok.

 

[csummer8882]

I am keeping a close eye on her. She seems ok, will stand up when I pull the "cover" off her separate container so I am hoping for the best! Thanks everyone!

 

[MysticScorpio82]

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If she is walking on her leg, then it sounds like it is only bruised. *PHEW* When I first read this, I thought for sure it was broken. I didn't respond since you already had good advice (spliting, etc). I am keeping my fingers crossed she keeps improving for you!

 

[Sassafras]

Is there a way you can put an ice cube wrapped in a cloth on it for a while? Ice is a great swelling reducer and healing agent. This is from the person who hit their finger with a sledgehamer Friday...

 

[BWKatz]

Sounds like she's on the road to recovery.