Ramp fell on 12 week old

[rubyrogue]

I was locking up for the night a few nights ago. Looked under the coop twice and didnt see anyone grabed the door with one hand and kicked the ramp out with my foot.(right now it is just a 1ft wide melamine board leaned up against the doorway) as soon as it landed I heard squawking and screeching and saw one of my 12 week olds trying to get out from under it. She ran away I caught her and looked her over no blood was moving okay but was panting and moving her beak funny. I seperated her overnight to watch her. The next day she limped a little but wanted back with her flockmates. Checked on her multiple times she was eating drinking and walking around let her sleep back with the flock. Yesterday same thing couldnt hardly tell anything was wrong. This morning when I let them out she was laying down one leg extended and toes curled. Does not look good. I gave her some water and food which she took but she doesnt want to move and when she does she flops all over. ANy help or advise? I am thinking maybe internal bleeding and wondering if I should help her pass peacefully? She is quiet, cheeping when I hold her doesnt screech..... I feel so bad i dont usually kick the board out I pick it up and move it but I was in a hurry and now I am paying for it.

 

[purpletree23]

Don't blame yourself....accidents happen. You could second guess yourself all day and something still could have happened.

I would wait to see how she is in the morning. If she is improving I would give her more time to heal. If she seems worse then you have to make the decision to put her down or see the vet. I don't think I'm being much help.....I'm sure you have already thought about what I'm telling you. I guess I'm trying to give moral support and to let you know most of us have been in this type of situation at one time or another.

I hope she is better by morning...chickens are remarkable when it comes to healing.

 

[rubyrogue]

Thank You. I have her back inside in a dog kennel. She is eating and drinking and alert. Her one leg is still sticking out funny. Straight forward almost, so maybe it is broke? If so how do I deal with that? She is still just softly cheeping doesnt sound too distressed. What gets me is that she was okay for 2 days then went lame. ONe a side note I noticed tiny spur buds while examining her. Could she be a he? Do hens have spur buds?

ETA: I will try to get pics.

 

[purpletree23]

She could have a broken leg. Do you have a vet in your area who is reasonable regarding office visits and X-ray costs? If it is broken she needs to have it set it needs to be done soon so it doesn't mend wrong. If the price is out of your budget (big sigh....hate to say it but have to)....the vet could put her down.

Some people here have successfully healed broken legs so maybe someone can help. It sounds like it's her hip more than leg though. Maybe it's just dislocated and the vet could pop it back into the socket? Do you have any vet schools near you?

Good luck. I'm glad you separated her. She needs rest.

 

[rubyrogue]

We dont really have any avian vets around here. My regular vet is VERY resonable in price but flat out told me he wouldnt know what to do. The one vet that does see birds is the most expensive vet in town. She is still with me, eating and drinking. She has curled the leg up under her now so maybe she just needed to be seperated for a bit and not have to work so hard to get her food and water and all the others bugging her. She has been inside for two full days now but cant really get up and walk around in the kennel I have her in. When I set her on the bathroom floor on towels she does not even attempt to walk...... don't know if she will ever be able to. it has been 4 or 5 days since it happened so it is probably too late to set it proper. I am going to try putting her back with her flock tomorrow and see how she does

heres hoping