Hock injury , advice needed

[NHMountainMan]

I was out changing the frozen outdoor water with a fresh water when my dog went bonkers. We timed it right - there was a long tailed weasel inside the electric netting - it ran away at his barking. So - I need to look at the electric charge going on. I did a headcount and no one is missing. But...
one pullet is limping badly. I cannot see an open wound, but she's skittish, and I didn't want to chase a injured pullet.

The injury is to her right hock. It sort of collapses as she walks - but not every time. So - it's either a break or a strain. I'm going to wait until dark and bring her inside for an exam. I haven't found a good article here on hock injuries or splinting.

Any advice or links you guys could provide would be appreciated. Heading out to look at that fence!

 

[Eggcessive]

What part of the leg appears injured? Pictures can help when you are able to handle her. Pages 20-23 of this splinting link may be helpful if the leg needs to be splinted:
https://theiwrc.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Duerr_Splinting_Manual_2010.pdf

 

[NHMountainMan]

What part of the leg appears injured? Pictures can help when you are able to handle her. Pages 20-23 of this splinting link may be helpful if the leg needs to be splinted:
https://theiwrc.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Duerr_Splinting_Manual_2010.pdfView attachment 1960244

in a human, it would be the knee- the joint between the femur and tibia/fibula. Isn’t that a hock in poultry? I’ll read the splinting guide now while I wait until dark to grab her. I’ve set up a dog crate in the garage to isolate her after splinting.
from what I can see from 5 feet away- it’s either at the joint or possibly the femur close to the joint. I see no deformity- it seems like the joint is collapsing. She’s moving around pretty well, just a very visible limp. I wasn’t near the fence when I heard the dog alert. Got there in time to see the weasel go through the back and up a tree to get away from the dog. I hadn’t heard the chickens make a ruckus, but it’s pretty windy so I might not have noticed. thanks again for the link.

 

[NHMountainMan]

@Eggcessive - thank you very much for that splinting guide. So- according to the guide- it’s the knee, not the hock. If it’s the femur above the knee, best to euthanize (surgery required if a broken femur - not an option) if it’s the “shin bone) trying a splint might be worth it. I’ve splinted a ton of broken human legs- but finesse isn’t my best trait so we’ll see how I do on a 2” shin. The guide is very detailed- fingers crossed it’s the knee or lower leg. Thanks again

 

[Eggcessive]

You’re welcome. Let us know how your chicken gets along.

 

[NHMountainMan]

just finished the exam. I can't find an obvious break, no displacement or swelling, but clear discomfort in the knee joint itself. She's resting in a dog crate in the garage for the night. I'll do a more thorough exam in the daylight to see if I missed anything. Any advice on knee strains?

 

[Eggcessive]

Sprained joints can be sore for several weeks. The only two hens I have seen, one limped for 6 weeks, and always go to food and even roosted. The second one never stopped limping, and it did not heal. She lived 2 more years and limped everywhere, stayed with her flock where they roamed, but eventually wasted away. Vet wrap is pretty good to support a joint, but always make sure that it doesn’t slip and become too tight. Cutting off circulation can cause more damage than the sprain. I have always hesrd, the higher up the injury in the leg, the less likely for them to heal. But I haven’t seen broken legs before.

 

[NHMountainMan]

Sprained joints can be sore for several weeks. The only two hens I have seen, one limped for 6 weeks, and always go to food and even roosted. The second one never stopped limping, and it did not heal. She lived 2 more years and limped everywhere, stayed with her flock where they roamed, but eventually wasted away. Vet wrap is pretty good to support a joint, but always make sure that it doesn’t slip and become too tight. Cutting off circulation can cause more damage than the sprain. I have always hesrd, the higher up the injury in the leg, the less likely for them to heal. But I haven’t seen broken legs before.

good advice - thank you. I'll try vet wrap tomorrow. I know that the longer she's away from the flock the harder it will be to re-integrate. Thanks again -

 

[NHMountainMan]

After a more thorough exam in daylight, I located the broken bone. It was a femur break very near the hip socket. The avian splinting guide that @Eggcessive sent my way said a femur break rarely heals and can’t be splinted. The guide recommended humane euthanasia. Moments ago, I opted to end her pain via cervical dislocation, the details of which are in an article posted on BYC.
BYC is such a valuable resource. Thank you for the support!

 

[Eggcessive]

Very sorry for your loss. Glad that she will not be suffering. These decisions are hard to make, but glad that you could do what was best for your hen.