Possible Broken Leg! Help!

[lauranickerson]

I was transferring my approx. 5 week old chicks from their brooder trough to a little wired fence area so they could peck at the grass and be in the sun for the first time.

I got them all out saving my Cornish X for last. S/he's not really that big yet, or not as big as I thought it'd be, so maybe it's a slow grower? Anyways. I picked it up with one hand since I had a couple others in the other hand. It struggled and jumped out of my grip about 3 feet down. I immediately picked it up and ran out to put the others down. I set it down, and it was limping badly. It wouldn't stand on it's left leg, and when it tried to walk, it used it's left wing on the ground for balance.

I placed it in with the others in the sun, and it's pecking the grass and wobbled over the the waterer about 2 feet away, but still not really standing.


This all happened about 30 minutes ago. I tried to feel up to it's hip for a break but couldn't find one.

Is it probably a broken leg or just sore? What do you do with a meat chicken and a broken leg if it's not ready for slaughter yet?

Help!!

 

[CherishHolland]

I would make sure that it is a broken leg first. a broken leg is usually visibly out of position. If it is, I would highly recommend seeing a vet. If this is not possible and it is a broken leg:
Do not set the leg, as this will cause the chicken a great amount of pain if done incorrectly.
If it is not bad, it may heal on its own.
If it seems like it needs more support, then you can make a soft cast out of vetrap.
If it needs even more support, then you can use a piece of garden hose or something of the like to stabilize it on the outside of the vetrap. Secure it with first aid tape.
If it is serious, then you can make a splint:
First, wrap the leg with gauze or vetrap. Get a splint and cut it so it is proportionate to the bird. A splint can be something similar to a popsicle stick. Apply 2 on opposite sides of the leg. Anchor them with first aid tape or vetrap. Change often. The bird should be able to go without after around 2 weeks. If the leg twists with a splint that they walk around in, then you can make a sling. get two pieces of wood and suspend netting or fabric between the pieces of wood. Make holes for the chicken's legs in the fabric. The chicken can be placed in this so the legs will not touch the ground.
-Paraphrased from Storey's Guide To Raising Chickens



found this on another thread. Best of luck

 

[lauranickerson]

I would make sure that it is a broken leg first. a broken leg is usually visibly out of position. If it is, I would highly recommend seeing a vet. If this is not possible and it is a broken leg:
Do not set the leg, as this will cause the chicken a great amount of pain if done incorrectly.
If it is not bad, it may heal on its own.
If it seems like it needs more support, then you can make a soft cast out of vetrap.
If it needs even more support, then you can use a piece of garden hose or something of the like to stabilize it on the outside of the vetrap. Secure it with first aid tape.
If it is serious, then you can make a splint:
First, wrap the leg with gauze or vetrap. Get a splint and cut it so it is proportionate to the bird. A splint can be something similar to a popsicle stick. Apply 2 on opposite sides of the leg. Anchor them with first aid tape or vetrap. Change often. The bird should be able to go without after around 2 weeks. If the leg twists with a splint that they walk around in, then you can make a sling. get two pieces of wood and suspend netting or fabric between the pieces of wood. Make holes for the chicken's legs in the fabric. The chicken can be placed in this so the legs will not touch the ground.
-Paraphrased from Storey's Guide To Raising Chickens



found this on another thread. Best of luck

Thank you! I'm going to go examine a little better right now.

 

[lauranickerson]

I examined it and it doesn't feel any different than the other good leg.

After examining it, I set it down and it picked up it's hurt leg to scratch it's face, and did it with no problem. That's a good sign right?

 

[CherishHolland]

Yes that is a good sign maybe just landed wrong and just sprung it.

 

[lauranickerson]

The little guy/girl was standing on both feet this morning. Still has a limp, but I don't think it's broken. Thanks everyone.

 

[CherishHolland]

so glad she is doing better!