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Barnyard Buddies:  chicken w/ a broken leg?  |
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Annab
True Blue Farmgirl
2900 Posts
Anna
Seagrove
NC
USA
2900 Posts |
 Posted - Jul 21 2010 : 03:51:28 AM
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One of our young Polish roosters has a leg that he isn't using much. He can pull it up beneath himself, but has to hobble and can't grasp with the toes on that foot.. It looks like he may have gotten it stuck in something
Is there any creative way to make a splint.
Hubby says we need to get rid of him. I say we keep him simply b/c he can still move himself to get food and water and when the rest of the flock runs free, he manages to stay in the shade when it starts to get hot.
He does try and walk a little, but I think he just gets too tired..
And as usual, it's the only Polish rooster I have. The only rooster that I actually WANT to keep. Pity that with all the fuss over him, he has really tamed down and is starting to become a favorite.
He is still in the semi-peeping stage, so i'd like to thnk his youth would work in has favor.
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natesgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1735 Posts
angela
martinsville
indiana
USA
1735 Posts |
Posted - Jul 21 2010 : 04:40:39 AM
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You could use popsickle sticks or tooth picks with the points removed and some of the 1/4 inch medical tape, or wider tape cut down some. I kept one chick the had gotten pink eye and was told he'd go blind and I should just put him down. He healed and was blind for a while, then got sight back in one eye. He can kinda see out of the other, but not well, he spooks easy from the left but not the right. The poor little guy can't catch a bug to save him, but al the handlin and medicatin has made him so lovable. He wants held all the time and loves to be petted. We call him Buddy.
Farmgirl Sister #1438
God - Gardening - Family - Is anything else important? |
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Ms.Lilly
True Blue Farmgirl
826 Posts
Lillian
Scotts Mills
OR
USA
826 Posts |
Posted - Jul 21 2010 : 06:36:05 AM
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I had a hen with either a broken or displaced leg. We put her in the "gimpy bin", a small fenced off area within one of the pens used for sick or sitting hens. I made sure she got extra treats like yogurt with smashed bananas and such each day for about 10 days. Since she was where no one else could bother her and could lie where she wanted to She healed all by herself. About 3 weeks from the injury I let her back in with the other chickens and she still had a mild limp. Now 3 months later and I could not pick her out of the flock, she is perfectly fine. By the way she couldn't walk or roost on her leg either.
Lillian |
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msdoolittle
True Blue Farmgirl
1152 Posts
Amanda
East Texas
USA
1152 Posts |
Posted - Jul 21 2010 : 07:42:46 AM
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I'd wait, too. Especially if he can pull the leg up. At least you know that if it IS broken, it's something further down the leg. I had a chicken that broke her leg, but it was way up on the femur, and she could not use the leg AT ALL. After a few days with no improvement, I did put her down.
I'd give the guy a chance, and watch carefully that the others aren't pecking on him. It's best to keep him separate.
I have several Polish, too, and they are some of my favorites!
FarmGirl #1390
www.mylittlecountry.wordpress.com |
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grace gerber
True Blue Farmgirl
2804 Posts
grace
larkspur
colorado
USA
2804 Posts |
Posted - Jul 21 2010 : 08:41:23 AM
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I would give him chance - I would make a splint and keep him from others but no so that he has not contact - they do get loney and will stop eating if they have no Like Kind interaction. We have saved many an animal with broken bones including chickens... Good luck and keep us in the loop - we will be praying for the dear one.
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.artfire.com
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katalind
True Blue Farmgirl
177 Posts
Kathy
Chapin
SC
USA
177 Posts |
Posted - Jul 21 2010 : 6:36:36 PM
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I think the popsickle sticks & medical tape sound like a good idea, along with a space of his own to rest and heal. Good luck, I'll pray for your chicken and ask my farm girl friends in my area for advice. If I hear of anything that hasn't already been posted on here I'll let you know.
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rschaaf
True Blue Farmgirl
174 Posts
Renee
Wooster
Ohio
USA
174 Posts |
Posted - Jul 21 2010 : 7:46:10 PM
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I had a broiler hen once that escaped from the broiler houses next door. She got really big becuase she wasn't supposed to live more than six weeks. She got tendonitis really bad in her legs. I had to put her on a diet and gave her some calcium/phosporus tabs to help her through. Maybe something to think about to suppliment with. She eventually got over it and lived like 4 years!
"There is beauty, there is grace, in my peaceful country place!"
See what I'm up to at: http://www.lifeonctfarm.blogspot.com |
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Annab
True Blue Farmgirl
2900 Posts
Anna
Seagrove
NC
USA
2900 Posts |
Posted - Jul 23 2010 : 03:50:01 AM
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Thankfully none of the other chickens pick on him.
I call him Gonzo.
Called to hom last night when I had some bread and tomato scraps. He did his best to come over and I helped the rest of the way. At one point I thought he might want to get out of the coop, but a few minute slater he got himself back in, so when he has a mind to, he can move around. I'd be more concerned about him sitting in his own filth, but so far that's not ben much of an issue either>
Thanks for the tips and kind words. Might try the med tape and popsickle thing. Luckily we have plenty of both for other possible anumal emergencies |
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Barnyard Buddies: chicken w/ a broken leg? |
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chicken w/ a broken leg?
