Turkey Hen caught her foot in a fence

[Shazmira]

Hi all.
Four days ago my hen caught her foot in between the slats of the fence. Partially degloving the first layer of skin just above her foot. Her foot has darkened. She is caged inside for treatment. I have been applying an ointment that contains yellow dock (get this from a Cherokee woman who wild-crafts this healing ointment). It has stopped seeping blood.

However, I don't think its enough and I need to give her antibiotics. She started panting. I have 500mg amoxy capsules on hand.

Need advice. How much amoxy can I give. She is approximately 10-12 pounds. 9 months old. She drinks water but very little. What else should I do?

 

[CombNWattles]

Poor girl. @azygous @Eggcessive may know the correct dosage.

 

[azygous]

There is no need for an antibiotic. The hen's foot is in the process of auto-amputating. She will soon lose the foot. It doesn't mean that it's infected. Poultry walls off a serious injury to an extremity by cutting off blood supply. There is virtually no danger of infection getting into the blood stream.

The auto-amputation process can be ghastly to watch. But remember, poultry has been around for millions of years of evolution and are far advanced of us humans in some things. If we injure a foot as severely, gangrene sets in and if we don't cut it off, the infection quickly enters the blood stream and kills us. Oh, to be a turkey.

Here is an old thread documenting the auto-amputation process. https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/matilda-is-going-to-lose-her-feet.1454933/

 

[Shazmira]

Awe I was hoping to save her foot. Should I continue to cage her? or ?

 

[azygous]

No need to cage her as long as the others aren't trying to hurt her.

 

[Shazmira]

No need to cage her as long as the others aren't trying to hurt her.

Thank you. So going forward, shall I look for a prosthetic? (laugh)

 

[azygous]

There is such a thing, but as long as they have one good leg, they can get around just fine. I have a rooster that has a useless foot due to cancer in his tendon, and he gets around okay, if a little slow. Life shouldn't change all that much for this hen, but you may want to keep in mind she will not be able to flee a predator. I keep a very close eye on my rooster if he's ever out of the run.

 

[Eggcessive]

I would put her back outside with her flock so that she doesn’t lose her place in the pecking order. Watch for any bullying. You can apply Betadine to the black leg. It would be good to give an occasional update and a picture of the leg as it self-amputates.

 

[Shazmira]