Chicken Keepers: question on mending a broken leg

[88GT]

I have 3 RIR purchased from TSC beginning of March, making them 8-10 weeks old. Somehow, one of them managed to injure her right leg at the hock. It is swollen and the leg rotates out about 45 degree to the side, and it stays bent (whether that her not putting weight on it or due to the injury preventing straightening, I don't know). It doesn't seem to be a break on the straight leg bone, but I can't really tell. If it were, I'd just splint it and sling her for a few days to let it rest and heal up before she had to put weight on it. But this seems to be a hock joint injury.

I'm going to sling her up anyway, just to get the weight off and keep her from having to put the weight on it. But I'm not sure if there's anything else I can do. How would I splint it? Straight?

I know this is a weird question to be asking here, but the other resource doesn't seem to be much help this weekend. So I thought I'd give it a shot. Thanks.

Oh, she's eating and drinking fine. No other signs of problems.

 

[JB357Mag]

 

[Bucky623]

I had three like that in my last batch of RIR roosters. One died from other causes and the other two grew to be some large nice looking birds. One with the “knee” joint angled out and the other roo had the knee joint angled in. I don’t know what causes it but they seem to do ok on their own.

 

[starbreather]

I have noticed a fryer fixes all broken ckicken legs.

On a more serious note, never had such a problem, tagged for an answer.

 

[88GT]

I have noticed a fryer fixes all broken ckicken legs.

It's an 8-10wk old LAYER. They aren't exactly big at that age.

 

[Pinchaser]

Oh, she's eating and drinking fine. No other signs of problems.

It's been 30+ years since we had chickens but, back in the day, your last sentence would have likely been my guide. Sounds like she's worth keeping.

Hard to say w/o actually seeing it but I would likely do nothing for at least 4-5 days. If there didn't seem to be any improvement, I'd likely do just as you suggested: splint it, with the joint open/straight, and see what happens.

 

[printcraft]

It's an 8-10wk old LAYER. They aren't exactly big at that age.

 

[rhino]

Are nuggets made from Cornish game hens really tiny?

 

[yaquindn]

i would look on youtube for a video

 

[yaquindn]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aj7EBNWRNCQ

this may work

 

[Fan blade]

Friend of mine has the same issue.. .the chicken's leg has never healed back right and carries the leg or hobbles terribly. Help nature out and start over.

 

[88GT]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aj7EBNWRNCQ

this may work

I think I threw up a little in my mouth. When he bends the leg to position it correctly, I swear I heard more bones snap, crackle, pop.

Everything I've read says not to set the bones yourself unless you have the knowledge/experience. Since my pullet's break includes a rotation (I think), I decided not even to attempt to set. She doesn't seem to be encumbered by it other than mobility/weight bearing. While she'll never win any competitions, and she may not be the speediest, I don't think it will impede her daily activities being turned out a little bit.

So I splinted her tonight and we'll see how she fares. She's eating and drinking well. And there's no sign of infection. It's just a waiting game from here on, I guess.

 

[longbow]

Take it to the vet

get an xray

have it splinted and maybe surgery to fix it.

have the vet care for it for a week or so....

pay the vet and enjoy the 100 dollar eggs.

 

[.458socomhunter]

Splint it in correct anatomical position. Other than that, without spending more money than it's worth (pointed out earlier), not much you can do. Some breeds are genetically prone to leg issues, some of it can be dietary. Meat breeds are definitely prone to them due to astronomical growth rates. Make sure she has access to oyster shell or other calcium supplement.

 

[Aszerigan]

We had a cornish hen that was mauled by a raccoon and survived. We put her on antibiotics, and within two weeks, she was back to normal.

She always had a very pronounced limp, but she was a happy bird.