Paralyzed silkie after dog 'attack'

[SilkieFlo]

Brought him outside for a little bit to see his buddies, seemed to perk him up. His droppings already look much better! I cut off some of his tail feathers so its easier to clean.

Do you think it would be a nice life for him, living next to his buddies in his private pasture? So they can't get to him, but he can see them. Or maybe with a calm pullet? Or would that just be sad?

He even tried to walk for a little bit, more of a stumbling but I think he just needs to get the hang of it. Or did I let him try this too soon?

A little movie I made of him trying to walk

 

[Eggcessive]

I would use your own judgement, but I am sure that he will enjoy being near his flock. If he is overdoing the use of his bad leg, you may want to make him a sling outdoors in his pen, to force him to rest it. He certainly has a lot of spunk.

 

[SilkieFlo]

Hard to know without a vet and xray if his leg has nerve damage, but that is what it sounds like. I would think if his spinal cord was affected, he might not have use of either leg.

I would make sure that he gets 400 IU of vitamin E daily, and just some extra B1 and B2. Any type of E should be fine to use. I mix up some wet chicken feed, scrambled egg, and canned cat food, substituting, tuna, ground meat, or cottage cheese to tempt a sick one to eat. Sometimes sprinkling some chick crumbles during feeding will tempt them to eat.

I think it is a good idea to remove him from the sling to rest, stretch, move around, and sleep at night. We love pictures of chicken slings if you have one, so we can share it.

I would give him some time to see if he improves some. It can be hard to care for a disabled chicken, especially a rooster, with a long term injury or disability. If a vet is possible, that might help you decide how far to go. Please let us know how he gets along.

Here you go btw, some photo's in his sling. I used an old spandex of mine over half a cat carrier

I put him outside in the sun for some vitamine D.

 

[SilkieFlo]

We installed back their first house, we first used it for the chicks to grow up in. After they were big enough to go outside we put it aside, but it’s actually perfect for a sick or injured chicken and a buddy.

This also allows him to learn to walk again with only one leg. Much more spacious. And to use the heath lamp however he likes.

Here he is, all perked up with a lady friend. Who’s very happy because I put some food in the infirmary.

I don’t see any improvement in the leg yet , in terms of returned force or use. But he has found balance and is hopping around on one leg.

 

[SilkieFlo]

Small update:

I don’t see any improvement in the leg, but I’ve put him outside and separated the flock. He’s living with one hen and this weekend and other hen will arrive for him.

He’s able to go in the night coop by his own and gets around easily. So I guess he’s ok! Just one useless leg… but I’m happy i didn’t cull him! Even with one leg I think they can have fulfilled lives. Just hope the hens will stay nice towards him

 

[LaFleche]

Small update:

I don’t see any improvement in the leg, but I’ve put him outside and separated the flock. He’s living with one hen and this weekend and other hen will arrive for him.

He’s able to go in the night coop by his own and gets around easily. So I guess he’s ok! Just one useless leg… but I’m happy i didn’t cull him! Even with one leg I think they can have fulfilled lives. Just hope the hens will stay nice towards him

Don't forget to properly quarantine the new hen prior to adding her to his little kingdom, or else you might bring in some nasty disease.

 

[Eggcessive]

I hope that the chick sometime will improve, but glad that you have been able to help him.