I have a 16 week old silver wyandotte who was hopping around standing on one leg, but mostly sitting. I took her inside and put her in a shallow box with food and water thinking it was no big deal - she'd
probably be better in a day or two and then she'd go back outside.
She seems very content to sit in her box (that she could easily fly
out). When we go visit her, she stands up to greet us but always
holds up that leg. I've examined her foot many times - it is perfectly
clean with sign of injury, swelling, or discoloration.
It's been 6 days now.
Today I got my husband to help me examine her again and now it's obvious one leg joint is much bigger than the other and she's keeping her toes curled on that leg. She can't put any weight on it at all.
Picture shows the size difference, although it's much more apparent to feel it. The lower one is bigger:
Did she break a leg? Or is this a genetic defect?
If so what do I do? If she's not going to heal and is a lot of pain, how do I put her out of her misery if that is the right thing to do?
I'm quite sad but want some advice and to do the right thing.
PS By the way, at about 6 weeks when I moved her and 3 others outside from their brooder, she and one other fell ill with Coccidiosis and she nearly died (the other one was a silkie and she did die). So
perhaps she is weak from that. Since then, she has been extremely
mellow, tame, and of course - the kids favorite.
probably be better in a day or two and then she'd go back outside.
She seems very content to sit in her box (that she could easily fly
out). When we go visit her, she stands up to greet us but always
holds up that leg. I've examined her foot many times - it is perfectly
clean with sign of injury, swelling, or discoloration.
It's been 6 days now.
Today I got my husband to help me examine her again and now it's obvious one leg joint is much bigger than the other and she's keeping her toes curled on that leg. She can't put any weight on it at all.
Picture shows the size difference, although it's much more apparent to feel it. The lower one is bigger:
Did she break a leg? Or is this a genetic defect?
If so what do I do? If she's not going to heal and is a lot of pain, how do I put her out of her misery if that is the right thing to do?
I'm quite sad but want some advice and to do the right thing.
PS By the way, at about 6 weeks when I moved her and 3 others outside from their brooder, she and one other fell ill with Coccidiosis and she nearly died (the other one was a silkie and she did die). So
perhaps she is weak from that. Since then, she has been extremely
mellow, tame, and of course - the kids favorite.