Rooster with injured leg-Help!

[GoldenCometKeeper]

I'm in Louisiana. The last two days have been very cold, the lows were in the teens and highs in the 30s. Unusual for us, but the coop and yard are dry and he's the only bird with this problem. Water is frozen everywhere so I've been bundled up and breaking up ice in the yard, with the hens close behind like I have 9 shadows waiting to drink up whatever water they can find.

Swelling hasn't changed, only noticeable when up close. He just won't put any weight on that leg now. He's been laying in a bed of hay under where the hens roost since last night.

We put him in one spot and he's kind of scooting around a bit, turned around and has been clucking a little when the hens come by to see him. He hasn't tried to crow all day so I am concerned about him being in pain. I'm just not sure what to do.

 

[aart]

If he's eating drinking pooping ok, and talking to his girls, I'd not worry.
It's just going to take time to heal.
Make sure he has liquid water at all times.
I confine my limpers with feed and water in crate.
Like this but on the floor with bedding inside,
pic shows set up for a broody breaker.

You can add your location to your profile, it's easy and most helpful.

 

[GoldenCometKeeper]

Thank you so much! I'm hoping he gets better, he's such a gorgeous Roo, and gentle with his girls. I want to keep him around for a while. Stinks he got hurt during the cold months in the first real winter we've had in years.

 

[Eggcessive]

The dark color of the bottom of the sore foot looks like possible frostbite. What does he roost on? When chickens roost on metal (I have a couple of metal garbage cans holding feed in my coop,) they can suffer frostbite to the bottom of the foot. The swelling on top may be related. That should heal hopefully, but it may be painful. Make sure his food and water is close. The hens may enjoy sitting around him keeping him company like mine do to their old fellow with his sore legs.

 

[GoldenCometKeeper]

The roost is made of wood. There's no metal inside their coop, just wood and the nests are plastic 5 gallon buckets.

I'm not an expert on chicken psychology (LOL) but I feel like he may be a little lonely while the hens are out foraging because he perks up and clucks when they come by to see him. He is never more than a foot away from any of the hens when he's healthy.

 

[aart]

I'm not an expert on chicken psychology (LOL) but I feel like he may be a little lonely while the hens are out foraging because he perks up and clucks when they come by to see him. He is never more than a foot away from any of the hens when he's healthy.

Yeah, they do not care for change of daily habits, or anything else haha!
But it's good they can still come visit him....
....you, and he, must be patient for the healing to happen.

 

[GoldenCometKeeper]

Patience is going to be very necessary. I saw a bit of his comb has turned black. Frostbite...I know it can heal, but he has the grandest comb. My gimpy Pierce. This time last year I probably would have never thought I'd say that about a chicken .

I hate the possibility of him not healing, or that leg being permanently useless. This cold spell came on quick and I can't remember ever having ~15 degree weather for more than a day, and that has been 15+ years ago.

Going to look up ways to deal with that. The internet has been the next best thing to an Avian vet (which are nowhere to be found here) for me.

 

[aart]

Not much you can do about frostbite on comb/wattles...
....it usually heals up on it's own, best to leave it be.

Did you ever live north?
Miss this?
Ran out of steam to get all the snow off small shed..was 7F.

 

[GoldenCometKeeper]

I've been a Louisiana girl my whole life! I considered moving north at some point though. I always thought I liked the cold, snow was pretty and we've had it a few times down here. Now that it has been 20 degrees for 3 days I am pretty sure I am meant to stay in the South. Our summers are long and usually hover around/above 100, but this cold weather is torture! I miss my 40-60 degree winters!

Let's take a moment to laugh at my ignorance.

 

[aart]

I've been a Louisiana girl my whole life! I considered moving north at some point though. I always thought I liked the cold, snow was pretty and we've had it a few times down here. Now that it has been 20 degrees for 3 days I am pretty sure I am meant to stay in the South. Our summers are long and usually hover around/above 100, but this cold weather is torture! I miss my 40-60 degree winters!

Let's take a moment to laugh at my ignorance.

I couldn't handle the heat/humidity.....I whine at 80F and 80%.
I've had some mighty fine times in NOL tho, in Feb.