How to set a broken toe?

[GingerHippie]

I have a 5+year old RIR hen, and I noticed today she has a broken toe. I'm pretty sure it happened yesterday when my goat tripped over her, but I didn't realize she was injured until a little while ago. She's seperated from the other chickens, but I need to set the bone before I can wrap it, and I've never set a bone before so I'm not sure exactly how to do it.
Does anyone have any pointers or tutorials or anything? I'm afraid of hurting her worse, she's my favorite hen.

 

[cameronfarm]

Unfortunately its probably going to hurt her no matter what. Align the bones as strait as possible without twisitng or pulling excessively. If its not a compound fracture it should line up pretty easy. Use a splint and medical tape, check on her on a regular basis to make sure the splint stays in place.

Should be able to come off in a few weeks. It probably won't heal perfectly strait but she should be OK.

 

[GingerHippie]

Unfortunately its probably going to hurt her no matter what.  Align the bones as strait as possible without twisitng or pulling excessively.  If its not a compound fracture it should line up pretty easy.  Use a splint and medical tape, check on her on a regular basis to make sure the splint stays in place.

Should be able to come off in a few weeks.  It probably won't heal perfectly strait but she should be OK.

Thank you! My sister came and helped me splint it and wrap it yesterday. Should I change the wrap daily or leave it alone for as long as possible?

 

[cameronfarm]

Thank you! My sister came and helped me splint it and wrap it yesterday. Should I change the wrap daily or leave it alone for as long as possible?

I would let it set for a few days and check it. If all looks good re-wrap and check again in a week, if things don't look good reposition and check again in a couple days. rinse and repeat for about 2 weeks +/-, then give her some time without the splint to see how she does. If she still looks unstable splint again for a week or so and try again.

I usually just follow my gut and make changes based on observations

 

[GingerHippie]

I would let it set for a few days and check it.  If all looks good re-wrap and check again in a week, if things don't look good reposition and check again in a couple days.  rinse and repeat for about 2 weeks +/-, then give her some time without the splint to see how she does.  If she still looks unstable splint again for a week or so and try again.

I usually just follow my gut and make changes based on observations

Thank you for the help. She's mad at me right now but I'm hoping this will work.

 

[wlhtx]

Hi - can you give an update as to how long you left it taped, and if it worked or not? Our dog and rooster have an ongoing war with one another, and the dog won the latest battle. Our rooster's middle toe definitely got broken in the process (in addition to him losing several tail feathers). I'm trying to find someone that has set a broken toe that is willing to share their results...

 

[GingerHippie]

Hi - can you give an update as to how long you left it taped, and if it worked or not? Our dog and rooster have an ongoing war with one another, and the dog won the latest battle. Our rooster's middle toe definitely got broken in the process (in addition to him losing several tail feathers). I'm trying to find someone that has set a broken toe that is willing to share their results...

I wasn't very successful. :/ After about 1 1/2 weeks of it being wrapped up, she got the bandage off and I THOUGHT her toe was straight, but once she put weight on it I realized it most certainly wasn't. I thought we were going to have to put her down but we gave her a few days and she started walking on it, not acting like she was in pain at all. And now, she gets around just fine without even a limp.
Not helpful, but it doesn't have to be a death sentence.

 

[wlhtx]

Thanks for the update. Reuben (our rooster) is limping some still, but not acting like he's in tons of pain... I guess we'll just see how it goes. Thanks again!

 

[The Mother Hen]

I have a one and a half month old Barred Rock chick that broke her toe. Should she be fine without a split? I have her in my room with a warm box... but she prefers to sleep with me instead. How can I set her bone even though it's tiny? It's her out toe on her right foot, and her foot is swelling a little.

 

[PoultryPedia]

It would probably help reduce pain & help it heal faster if you can put an ice pack on it for 15 to 20 minutes every few hours for a couple days.

I would try to be sure she's getting good nutrition to help her body's healing, too.

There are also instructions on Toe Taping and Chick Shoes on the Poultry Podiatry page on the website linked in my sig below, & one or both of those treatments might be helpful.

I'm sorry she got hurt & hope she heals well. That is sweet you have brought her in, & it should help that you are keeping her from moving around a lot.