Embedded band in hen leg

[TwoPitsInaPod]

Today I noticed my easter egger limping around so when the chickens went to bed for the night I caught her and discovered the plastic leg band on her had somehow ridden up too high on her leg and has grown into the leg itself. It's really deeply embedded...

I cleaned the leg as best I could tonight, managed to cut off about a 1/4 of the band, washed her leg with hydrogen peroxide, and put some blue "hen healer" on it. I really don't think I can get the rest of the band off out of her leg and it is definitely infected. Is this something you guys think she can recover from? Or should I cull her? I know it sounds mean but I don't want to to spend money on a veterinarian so I'm looking for home solutions if their are any. I'll be removing the bands from my other chickens tomorrow when I have a little more time so that this doesn't happen again.

Thank you!

 

[docteurshepherd]

I would definitely give it time before culling, and if you got some of the band out I would think there could be hope for the rest. Could you take a photo of it when you get the chance? Also I wonder if soaking the leg in warm water could help loosen things up?

 

[Percheron chick]

Did you manage to cut through the leg band? Toe nail clippers are the best tool to cut them. Just go around the band and make multiple cuts. Don't worry if you knick the leg. You can slather vaseline, bag balm, corona ointment...wrap it overnight to soften the skin and you should be able to slide it off.

 

[chickmamato7]

Are legs bands a common problem as chickens grow? I noticed my rooster's band beginning to look tighter than before, now that his spurs are growing in. I guess I better remove it before he gets any bigger, especially since there's no need to identify him. My pullets look a lot alike, so I still need the bands for identification, but will remove if others have had safety issues with the use of bands.

 

[TwoPitsInaPod]

Sadly she went downhill really fast, I think the infection was worse than I realized upon first inspection. She became super lethargic and wasn't responding much to me so we ended up humanely euthanizing her.

I won't be using leg band again, even though this was a freak accident I don't want a repeat in the future.

Thanks all for the responses!

 

[TwoPitsInaPod]

Are legs bands a common problem as chickens grow? I noticed my rooster's band beginning to look tighter than before, now that his spurs are growing in. I guess I better remove it before he gets any bigger, especially since there's no need to identify him. My pullets look a lot alike, so I still need the bands for identification, but will remove if others have had safety issues with the use of bands.

I won't use bands again, not worth it.

 

[Anime2lover]

Are legs bands a common problem as chickens grow? I noticed my rooster's band beginning to look tighter than before, now that his spurs are growing in. I guess I better remove it before he gets any bigger, especially since there's no need to identify him. My pullets look a lot alike, so I still need the bands for identification, but will remove if others have had safety issues with the use of bands.

They will need bigger bands as they mature, just like a puppy needs a bigger collar as it matures. Though I can't say I've ever had one get embedded.

Today I noticed my easter egger limping around so when the chickens went to bed for the night I caught her and discovered the plastic leg band on her had somehow ridden up too high on her leg and has grown into the leg itself. It's really deeply embedded...

I cleaned the leg as best I could tonight, managed to cut off about a 1/4 of the band, washed her leg with hydrogen peroxide, and put some blue "hen healer" on it. I really don't think I can get the rest of the band off out of her leg and it is definitely infected. Is this something you guys think she can recover from? Or should I cull her? I know it sounds mean but I don't want to to spend money on a veterinarian so I'm looking for home solutions if their are any. I'll be removing the bands from my other chickens tomorrow when I have a little more time so that this doesn't happen again.

Thank you!

soak it for a while would be my suggestion. You can use Epsom salt in the soaking water, I'll help with the infection to.