Three legged chicken...

[Cecilia]

Heya folks;

I'm kind of new to this; I just got 5 laying hens from an organic chicken farm this saturday. Here's the deal: the farmer had a chicken with 3 legs that had been a little traumatized by the other chickens (they're free range on his farm, but it's still a lot of chickens, so it was bound to happen). I've taken her in, but I'm not sure what to do with her. Her third leg (coming out from right beside her vent) is broken, and is hanging off of her body and rotting. There's just a bit of skin holding it on, but enough so that I wouldn't want to snip it off and possibly open it up to infection. I've put an elastic band around the piece of skin, in the hopes that by cutting off what little circulation there is, nature will take course and the leg will rot and fall off. I know that's what they do to castrate bulls... I've also cleaned the area and her vent (she seems to be having trouble going poo...what does an extended vent look like? maybe that's the problem.) I've put some tea tree oil on her wound, and am continuing to clean it every day. Is there anything else I should be doing? I'm in the process of contacting a vet right now (friend of a friend who'll help). She doesn't seem to be in too much pain. She gets along fine with the other four chickens, she's just a little less active and her feathers are puffed out occasionally. I'm actually quite scared she won't make it, but I really don't know what else to do! Every morning I've been making her (and the other hens) a hot mash with some garlic and parsley in it. Should I be adding anything else? I really don't want to add any supplements, I'm trying to keep them as organic as possible...but if it'll work, I'll do anything!

Okay. has anyone else had a chicken with a third leg? Some advice?

thanks a lot...

cecilia

 

[dlhunicorn]

The only thing I would do (differently) seeing as how you do not want to use modern pharmaceuticals would be to not use teatreeoil on an open wound... flush it with sterile saline (boil 1/4 tsp salt in a quart of water five minutes) ... you can use honey on a wound once it has been flushed free of debris.

 

[StellaLenoir]

hi, there is this stuff called Blue lotion wound dressing. It is great!!!

We had one little chick, that was too freindly and something got to it and its wing was off from the elbow part. you could see the flesh. We put the blue lotion on it and it healed great. It will dye the bird purple blue, for a while. I would try it on you girls extra leg before you remove it. Treat it like an ambilical stump and dry it out with this blue stuff and then cut the skin holding it on when dry.

Good luck!!

 

[sunnychooks]

Quote:
Do you mean Blu-Kote? I use the spray form. It's quick-drying and a good product to keep in your Chicken Emergency Kit!

 

[JenniferJoIN]

Could you post a picture of your 3-legged wonder?

 

[Cecilia]

Heya;

I washed the area with warm salt water. She seemed okay with it, and just kinda fell asleep (which was oh so lovely!). I think I'll try that blue Kote stuff. Her bone is actually poking out by about a centimetre or so...I find it really distressing, but she doesn't seem too phased by it. Should I still use the Blue Kote stuff? And when applying the honey, should I bandage it up after the I put on the honey? I'm scared it will attract pieces of dirt and lead to further infection.

I dont have a camera to post pictures, but it isn't pretty or neat. I keep on telling people I have a 3 legged chicken and they get all excited, but then I have to explain that it's really painful to look at! It's all withered and rotting away.

I really hope she makes it! Thanks for all the advice...

 

[dlhunicorn]

I urge you to keep her separate and in a clean box in a stable (warm) environment until all is healed.
Here are the articles on using honey :
http://dlhunicorn.conforums.com/index.cgi?board=emergencies&action=display&num=1161617098

 

[Chatychick]

Also you can get a little camera at Wal-mart to take pictures and they dont cost more tha t$20 ...that is what I did and they work Great...just a thought...also hope she makes it for ya

 

[chickbea]

Bless you for taking on this special little one.

 

[SeaChick]

What's Miss Three-legged's name?

Does the broken leg hurt her? Poor baby!:aww

Hope she gets well!!!

-Olivia