Suspected Sprain

[trase]

We moved our month-old chicks out to the coop a week and a half ago (they have heat out there), but we had one little bird who we have kept inside in the brooder here in the house, as she was limping around and had some scrapes on her leg. (I'm pretty sure she's a hen, it's a Welsummer and her feathers seem more hen-ish as they are coming in).

I think what happened is that she was standing on the metal reel feeder trough and got startled, and her foot/lower leg got caught on the reel.

The scrapes are all healed up, but she is still limping. From what I've read, it can take 6-8 weeks for her to heal up. She's still eating, drinking, and pooping, and is really glad for my company (I visit her a few times a day). I haven't put a splint on it because I truly don't think it's broken and I'm afraid that I'll cause it to heal in a deformed way and simply cause her more trouble.

She sometimes lets me help her if she's having real trouble with standing while eating or drinking, and she really enjoys when I hold her in my hand or lap and pet her. I've been giving her Poly-vi-sol drops in her water along with a little bit of baby aspirin. About how long does one usually provide those - for the entire recovery period?

She's very determined and tries to hop around on her own as much as possible. If she does not heal completely, is it possible to introduce her back into the flock in a few weeks if she is managing on her own? Or will they likely bully her? When the time comes, should I bring another one of the hens to her to warm them up to her so she has a "friend" within the flock? I really don't want to cull this hen if she can manage to live on her own, even in a "handicapped" manner. Or if I need to help her, too! She's a little sweetie. She calls to me from the basement when she hears me walking around upstairs.

Any thoughts or advice on this situation? Thanks so much!

 

[Camelot Farms]

I have a handicapped hen. She was gimpy when we got her 2 years ago and has never gotten better. The other hens leave her alone and we just make sure that she gets to the food before they scarf it all up. She cant roost because of her bad leg so she has a bucket that we lay on its side and she slepps in there every night.

If she seemed to be in pain, we would cull her but as long as she is able to get around, eat, drink and socialize, we hang onto her. She even lays an egg from time to time...lol

 

[trase]

Oh, that's good to hear, that even if she remains handicapped, she will be able to live with the flock. It gives me hope.

I will keep the bucket-bed in mind. ;D Thanks!

I was noticing today the way she positions herself in my hand basically lets her gimpy leg dangle down. I'm thinking of trying to make her a little beanbag or something she could lay on in the brooder cage that would give her the same sort of option.

She just has these content, happy little chirps when I'm holding her or helping her. She falls asleep in my hands frequently. I get a little verklempt when I see how much she trusts me, and I want to make sure I keep that trust with her. She's just a little darling.

 

[Camelot Farms]

Our gimpy girl is too flighty to be held much but she knows that she always gets the choicest treats and that if the 'gang' isnt sharing then she gets picked up and hand held.

I think the unique birds tend to get the most attention.

 

[chookchick]

If you can, I would put her in a crate in the coop, or section off an area of the coop, so she can be with the others. This will keep her less lonely, and she will still be considered "one of the flock". IMHO it helps them to heal better, and makes re-integration much easier. Like Camelot says, it's not whether she is handicapped, but what her attitude is when it's time for integration.