Splint the chicken leg?

[chickenassistant]

Jack the hen is eating, drinking, and pottying fine. Her droppings look normal as well.

But last night when i went to do roll call, I noticed she was leaning her foot forward. i picked her up to see if she would wrap her toes around my finger, and nothing. Her foot was limp. I placed her down to see if she could walk, and she limped over to the hen box to sleep for the night. Should I splint her foot, leg, or let it heal naturally?

 

[coach723]

Unless you feel a break, I would not splint. If the limp is bad I would isolate her in a wire crate, in the coop or run so she can still see and be seen by the others, with her own food and water. That will minimize her activity and let it rest. Sprains and strains are not uncommon and sometimes they can take a long time to resolve. If it seems very painful then doing daily epsom salts soaks can help with pain and swelling. If it's cold where you are make sure she's completely dry before going back out. I would do that for a week or two, and see if it seems to be getting better.

 

[chickenassistant]

Unless you feel a break, I would not splint. If the limp is bad I would isolate her in a wire crate, in the coop or run so she can still see and be seen by the others, with her own food and water. That will minimize her activity and let it rest. Sprains and strains are not uncommon and sometimes they can take a long time to resolve. If it seems very painful then doing daily epsom salts soaks can help with pain and swelling. If it's cold where you are make sure she's completely dry before going back out. I would do that for a week or two, and see if it seems to be getting better.

We have this secondary run off the main coop. I isolated her in there with another docile hen. Loaded up on vitamins and soft bedding. I did give her an Epsom salt soak, and she just chilled there. She was limping badly. And I was going to separate her anyway because one of our other hens senses she is weak and has been a bully.

Thank you!