Rooster's foot got stepped on by horse

[erinlee]

I feel so bad; my rooster's foot got stepped on this morning by my horse. I know all too well how much that can hurt - and he is so much smaller than I am!

He's not putting any weight on his foot, he is holding it up and hopping around. It is somewhat swollen (although not grossly so), I can see a small cut/scrape but no bleeding. The foot is greyish colored compared to his other foot that is pink. I haven't tried to catch him and move the foot/leg to see if I can tell it is broken or not - not even sure I'd know what to look for.

Should I just let him be? I did a quick search and some suggested baby asprin for pain. I don't have any baby asprin on hand - can I cut a small piece off a regular asprin to give to him? Or again, should I just let him be? He's eating fine and doesn't seem to be in shock by panting, breathing heavy or anything.

I just feel bad for the poor guy!

 

[Casey3043]

The greyish color of the injured foot suggests an interruption of the blood supply, possibly a crushed artery. Don't know what to tell you to do except try to get ahold of him to examine it more closely. If it's damaged irreparably, it may have to be amputated but I've heard that many chickens can get around with one leg.

Good luck and let us know what happens.

 

[44Wolves]

DO NOT leave him alone! His foot may have, and probably does, Crushed toes, broken spur, and broken bones. I suggest you take him to a vet for an exam.

 

[ChickieBooBoo]

Quote:
I have seen posts with birds with broken toes that heal on their own, he might have a crooked toe and not walk right afterwards though.

 

[erinlee]

Ok, I went out to get a better look and tried to take some pictures. Sorry for the poor pic quality, I was holding in one hand and trying to take pictures with my phone in the other. His foot doesn't look as grey when I picked him up and got a better look at it - although still not quite as pink as the other. I was able to feel all along his leg and entire foot/toes without him pulling away or fussing at all, not sure if that is a good sign or not? I didn't feel anything broken - but then again I'm not sure what I'm looking for other than an obvious bone out of place, etc. His entire foot was warm (not hot - but warm as the other foot). His toes on that foot are a bit cooler than the other foot's toes. Let me know if you can tell anything from these pictures.

 

[erinlee]

Well I'm happy to say my rooster seems to be doing better. He's putting some weight on his foot now, definately limping but he'll actually put it down now. I heard him crowing again and he's moved around a bit and looks to be heading towards the coop as usual for this time of evening. His foot is still a bit swollen, but I'm hoping he'll be OK since he does appear to be showing improvements.

 

[wood&feathers]

In the pics it looks more purplish, like from bruising. Was he standing on soft ground when stepped on?

 

[erinlee]

Yes, he was in the horse run that is soft sand, and the ground really doesn't freeze in there since the horses stir it up so much. I was sort of thinking it was bruised as well - I know whenever I get stepped on my toes always turn black & blue!

 

[jjthink]

Poor fellow.

I would definitely give him pain relief for starters. A mild dose is one 81 mg baby aspirin crushed up and mixed with one cup of drinking water. I sometimes cut up fruit - bits of grapes, blueberries. etc and dunk in the aspirin water and then they eat the aspirin-water-drenched fruit from my hand and begin to get some of the pain relief effects. Often this will help them have the urge to eat and drink more normally, thus getting more aspirin water. Fresh batch at least daily.

Many feel that a higher dose of aspirin is okay, such as giving them at least a quarter of a baby aspirin all at once mixed with something yummy so they eat it.

Keep him somewhere very comfortable where he can't be trying to jump up or down on/off things. A confined comfortably warm area with lots of soft pine shavings, for example. The foot needs to rest, probably for at least several days, longer if there is a break or dislocation. If the situation is more serious than bad brusing and sprain, he would benefit from a vet's attention.

JJ

 

[Miss Lydia]

also might want to soak his foot in warm epsom salt bath it's good for swelling. Glad to hear hes improving.