SORE FOOT, Possible dislocation...advice plz.

[blondiebee181]

Hey all,

I just noticed one of my Runners, Willow limping so I caught her and sure enough, it looks like she dislocated the central knuckle of the first toe of her left foot...there is a swollen patch on the pad of that area and it appears that the toe was bent in a backward direction too far. I know that the main problem with wounds like this is that unless you catch it pretty much immediately, scar tissue starts to form over the dislocation and then there's pretty much no going back....my Leghorn has a crooked toe for much the same reason...she seems fine, i.e. eating and drinking and gamboling about normally except that she does limp and now has to gallop about rather goofily instead of running...I guess my question is if there is anything I should do? Much appreciated.....I can post a pic too.

 

[blondiebee181]

Poo awkward little duckie....hope the pics are clear.

 

[Amiga]

I would start right away with Epsom salt compresses, try to get the swelling down. Traumeel is a nice cream I have used on my runners and myself - I would also rub that in. I would do both - compress then Traumeel - three times a day for four days to start, and see if it doesn't help the swelling.

Any heat in that area?

I would also let her swim in a lukewarm tub in water deep enough to float in once a day for 20 minutes at least.

 

[blondiebee181]

I wouldn't say it's warmer in that spot than the rest of her foot, so I don't think it's infected...thanks for the good advice and quick response

 

[Amiga]

How are things today?

 

[blondiebee181]

Oi, sorry. I've been terribly busy, but Willow seems to be doing better....I didn't do much so either the swelling went down and scar tissue healed over it and it's better or the swelling was caused by a different issue such as a puncture or bug bite that I missed...either way, I'm glad she's okay now....but now I have a different issue...
I think the girls have decided to go broody....it started a couple weeks ago...they started sitting in the chicken boxes and will only go out to eat and drink a little. Willow even feathered one of them...if I take away the chicken eggs, they will simply sit on the fake ones I have in there. When the chickens want the boxes to lay in, they have to squeeze in next to the ducks....on top of all that they are all moody and have stopped laying....what do I do?