possible sprained or broken leg

[holderh]

One of my hens has somehow hurt her leg. She wont stand on it and really wont Stand at all. I can't tell if its broken. She doesn't get upset if I touch it. I see a skint spot but other than that nothing. I have given her baby aspirin in her water but she isn't eating or drinking much. Is there anything I can do for her. I will have my dh put her down if I have too...just wondered how long I should give her to show improvement.I don't want her to suffer. I found her hurt Friday night and of course have seperated her. I have read some people say to splint and others don't.

 

[Eggcessive]

If she is hurt so bad that she won't at least stand on one leg, I would consider putting her down after 3-5 days of confinement and rest. I have had hens who hopped around on one leg for up to a month, but they were eating, drinking, and getting around well.

 

[poulette]

Weird! My alpha hen, Cinnamon, was found this morning inside her coop unable to move. When I picked her up, she didn't flinch, but when I set her down again, she tipped to one side. Then I set her on the ground to see if she would eat scratch with the others and she hobbled on one leg, pooped on the ground and sat down again, I picked her up, carried her inside and made up an ICU cage for her in the laundry room with straw, scratch, papaya (her favorite) and all purpose grain. She ate and drank some of her vitamin & sugar water and now I'm inside trying to learn if I should splint or not. Any suggestions?

 

[holderh]

Thanks eggcesive...thats what I was thinking and afraid off.
Poulette-hope yours gets better....mine flops on her side too and sometimes stretches a wing out but that's it.

 

[mstkseavey]

I have a hen that is injured do to a dog encounter. She was bitten pretty good last Friday. She is getting around in a crate. She is not able to stand. But she is eating and drinking like crazy. And she even sings to me. How long would you keep her isolated and "hospitalized" before considering culling? She is showing improvement everyday. She gets aspirin and PolyVisol. And drinks electrolytes.

 

[holderh]

If she's improving I would keep her as long as she is doing good...

 

[mstkseavey]

So you think a week or better is not too long? I have heard that it has taken as long as a month..to completely heal...is that too crazy to assume that she might completely heal?

 

[TammyTX]

I am glad I found your post!

I had the same problem with a hen last night. She must have been in the bottom of the coop for several hours because she already had fireants on her. No wounds. I can feel her hips and they seem fine...I am not anything close to an expert....just that I didn't feel any grinding when I moved her legs around. Nothing appears to be wrong with her. It WAS 102 yesterday...but she should be used to that by now, she's a cuckoo maran, about 4 1/2 years old, had shade and plenty of water.

I brought her inside and put her in a dark box. She is eating and drinking. Her toenails are WAY long, and I tipped them.

If it helps, at first she didn't drink so I gave her whole grain bread soaked in yogurt whey, water, fresh tomato juice and cider vinegar (1/8 tsp). She really like it and even drank the liquid when the bread was gone.

 

[holderh]

I think its ok...I had a hen that got cut some how and I didn't know it...I finally realized something was wrong with her when she was standing funny and let me pick her up...she's really wild so I knew something was wrong. When I discovered the wound it had maggots and the skin was turning black. I dug all the maggots out and kept her seperated a couple of weeks and she's good as new....so as long as u see improvment on those type wounds I would keep trying.

 

[holderh]

Tammy, I've had some that the heat got to them....that's probably what it was especially since she's older.