opinion-- kill injured bird?

[El-kevo]

Hurricane Harvey put a tree over part of my coop and crushed/broke one of my chicken's lower leg or foot. She's obviously in some pain as she chooses to "stand" on that knee instead of her foot. She also seems to have no control over the toes. She eats, drinks, and acts normal except she can not roost without hanging a wing out for counterbalance, She can not run or walk without limping and immediately goes down to the knee as soon as she decides to stop moving, and seems to prefer being alone rather than with the rest. It's been about a week and a half since the tree fell.

Should I give her a chance to recover or end her suffering sooner rather than later.
additional details: she's about 4-6 months old, barred rock naked neck/turken.

 

[chickens really]

That has to be your choice.....She must be in pain?....I would put her down....

 

[RoostersAreAwesome]

It doesn't sound like an incurable injury. I wouldn't put down a chicken with a broken leg.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Hi, welcome to BYC!

That sounds VERY painful and chickens do what they can to hide pain. The recovery would be long and painful.

To ME, the humane thing would be to put her down. Sorry you are in the situation.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Oh ya... I have experienced a dislocated elbow and I have to say that even almost a year later it causes me some discomfort. And the early recovery was SUPER PAINFUL.

 

[Spiderduck]

If you can find a vet and get her fixed up or help her youself by looking at first aid for chickens. Maybe straigten her leg with a splint or apply a bandage.

But its up to you. If one of my girls was in pain, i would never give up.
Depends on you.

 

[RoostersAreAwesome]

This thread might help you: https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...special-needs-chickens.1186742/#post-18737367

 

[lunathechicken]

I think you should wait a little longer and see how/if she heals. Keep us updated!

 

[Lady of McCamley]

She is young, which helps with the healing, and if it is a "clean" break, it can heal, though painful. (You can give birds baby aspirin for pain). I had a foolish hen jump the fence and step into a rat trap. She hobbled on swollen toes for about a week or so, but now is fine.

If this is a permanent crippling injury however, and your hen is going to be free range chicken, then I would cull. Impaired chickens are simply hawk bait in my area.

I personally am not into keeping special need chickens. My birds have to stand on their own two feet and keep up with the flock or they go.

Mostly because impaired chickens have lower immune systems which then causes them to bring illness to the flock.

But since this is injury rather than illness, I think there is hope if you can actively treat it and bring some comfort during the healing. Animals can be amazing. What would be serious for us can be less so for them.

I do agree that animals are also very stoic. They have to be or they are food for a predator. If she doesn't appear happy within another week or so, then this may be a long term injury and best for culling.

LofMc

 

[El-kevo]

Update- Decided not to kill her right away and give her an opportunity to heal.
Today she is up and walking normally again.