had a tough day yesterday,, first thing in the morning,, discovered a dog in the chicken coop,,, 2 shots later,, there was a dead dog in the coop. Killed one arcansus (?) green egg layer,, wounded another one,, the rest were just shook up and mising feathers (so far). The wounded one has a broken leg,,and has survuve the night, inside,in a cage ect. No broken skin,, how do I splint the leg,, and how long should it take to heal? IS it worth doing this,,would it be easier on the chicken to make soup tonight? WOuld it be beter for her to go back into the coop with the splint?

-- Stan (sopal@net-port.com), December 31, 2001

Answers

Response to chicken question

A couple of popcicle stick make great splints for chickn legs. Leave them on until they fall off or about a week, whichever comes first.

I don't think she would taste very good after what she went through. Too much adrenalin and probably bruised up a bit.

I sure hate the dog in the chicken coop mornings. My last one I lost 6 nice hens including my favorite broody banty.

-- Just Duckie (Duck@spazmail.com), December 31, 2001.

Response to chicken question

I'm sorry Stan, that must be an awful thing to wake up to first thing in the morning. I've never had a chicken with a broken leg so I can't help you there.

Stacy in NY

-- Stacy (KincoraFarm@aol.com), December 31, 2001.

Response to chicken question

Hi Stan, I have used a splint before on young birds and it seemed to work. I do not know if older birds heal quite as fast. I would say it is worth a try, but I would put it in a place you can check the first day or two. Just to make sure the splint isn't too tight, or falls off, or whatever. Also, the other birds may pick on the one with the splint. I did use two small sticks and broke them to the proper height so they did not poke the bird as it walked. They usually act like it is the worst thing for a day, but try to walk when it feels a little better. If nothing else, when they sit with it out to the side at least it is mending and held in place. You may have to feed mush and stress pack by hand until it is able to get to food. Dosn't take too much time though. :o) And considering the postal problems with getting new birds(yes you can ship/no you can't/yes you can), I would try to keep her for a new batch of chicks in the spring at least. :o) If you have plenty of other birds, it may be easier to have chicken soup.

-- notnow (notnow@blabla.com), December 31, 2001.

Response to chicken question

I vote for the popsiscle sticks. I once set a kittens leg like that and it worked great. I left the sticks on for 6 weeks tho. Maybe a bird heals faster. I'd separate her from the others as the stick will look strange and they'll pick on her poor leg. Also, might want to confine her to keep the leg as still as possible. Good luck and let us know what happens.

-- cindy palmer (jandcpalmer@sierratel.com), December 31, 2001.

I had a similar situation occur this summer. I also splinted the pullets leg. Only I located a stick that was forked and placed the fork a the elbow/hock of the leg in order to brace it. I allowed about an inch of the stick to hang down past the foot which it was what the chicken walked on as the leg healed. I secured the slint with duct tape. As far as the healing time goes, by the time the entire thing fell off on its own she favored that leg only abut 4/5 days then you couldnt tell her apart from the others! It worked and have to honest with you...my husbad thought I was crazy for fretting over that chicken so! But when she healed he goes"figured it would work!" Nothing ventured, nothing gained!

-- Tammy S.South in Western KY (w-feather40@webtv.net), January 02, 2002.

hi

I also had this problem. I splinted the leg with small sticks, bandaged the leg and then put masking tape around it. I left it for about 2 weeks and the chook was fine. She has a small lump on her "ankle" but you would never know otherwise.

-- Luc (thehudsons@iprimus.com.au), February 23, 2002.