Three legged chicken

[babydrumstick]

Hey,
I am new to the boards, I just got a baby golden sex link named drumstick because she has a third leg in place of a tail. But she has a big deep gash on her bottom and looks swollen and a little irritated. I am washing it with antiseptic and keeping it clean. What else can I do to help her heal. I will post pictures when I borrow my friends camera. Thanks,


here are those pics

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1624/10426743/19281383/309052637.jpg
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1624/10426743/19281383/309052635.jpg
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1624/10426743/19281383/309052629.jpg
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1624/10426743/19281383/309052627.jpg
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1624/10426743/19281383/309052624.jpg
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1624/10426743/19281383/309052322.jpg

 

[MS9325]

Don't Worry you are doing the best thing for her, You might also try using a little Hydrogen peroxide to clean it out before you put the antiseptic on. Keeping it clean is the best thing you can do for the chick right now.

 

[DuckLady]

I would not use hydrogen peroxide. It kills living tissue and this one doesn't seem to be infected. Use warm saline or just warm water. Just do what you are doing and keep it clean.
You can do a google search on chickens with extra legs, until someone who has dealt with this comes along.
I think someone here on the board had one, and if I remember who it was I will try and scare them up.

 

[CUDA]

I would cull it myself...JMO

 

[babydrumstick]

Quote:
You are entitled to your opinion, but I feel I am doing the best thing for her. If I can save an animals life at all I will. I refuse to give up and just let her die.

 

[s6bee]

If it ends up not causing her any problems then there is no reason to cull. I'm just sure if anything will arise from this. She poos fine? Just making sure she's got her parts since she has extras!

 

[DuckLady]

Calm down babydrumstick. There are many different ways to deal with things. To you, taking the time to work with the chick is fine. To others, perhaps with a lot going on in their life, taking the amount of time is not feasible. I am glad you are doing what you think best and good luck to you.
Cuda was merely suggesting another alternative in the attempt to help you.

Please keep us posted.

 

[hooligan]

I am glad you are keeping her, you have a very good heart

Do you have any pictures of the gash? I didn't see one in the pictures, just her extra leg. You might try using a diluted betadine wash. Betadine is MICRObiotic so it kills more that just an ANTIbiotic. Just swab it and let it dry. You can get it at walmart or any pharmacy. If I recall its about $5 for the generic stuff.

 

[Moonwalker]

Could the gash be caused by her or another chick stepping on the extra leg? Or picking at it?
If you feel where it joins the body, if it doesn't feel like there is a solid joint/conncetion there, probably the best thing would be to remove the extra leg. It looks like it drags on the ground and if the other chicks don't pick at it, it may get stepped on by her or others, causing pain and possibly more serious injury.

 

[CUDA]

Quote:
Yep, I wasn't trying to tell you what to do, more power to you if that is what you want to do! I just have had way too many fowl over the years, and you learn over time it is best for your whole flock to cull out genetic problems like this in the long run. I am not trying to be insensitive, trust me, I am all for treating animals with compassion, and I understand your view, because I used to be the same way when I first got into fowl. Good luck with it.