Splint, amputation, nature or euthanasia? (Photos)

[SoFluffy!]

Hey y’all.

My poor little olive egger pullet got taken by a fox, but he was interrupted in the act and dropped her. Although she has no visible wounds (blood, puncture), she has completely lost the use of one leg. This happened about 4 days ago. I thought for sure that she wouldn’t make it. Her comb was almost white from shock. I rigged a sling for her to build strength in her working leg and pushed electrolytes, nutridrench and probiotics.

To my absolute surprise, she pulled through and seems to be happily thriving. She is eating, drinking and pooping without issue and hopping around. Now that I have a lame chicken, I don’t know what to do with her!

She is non reactive when palpating her entire leg and doesn’t seem to be in pain (but she is a chicken, so who knows?). There are no obvious points of break. I’m honestly guessing either dislocation at the hip or partial paralysis, but obviously cannot be sure. There are no vets around that are willing to see chickens

Can a chicken have a good life with one leg? Should I euthanize? Should I brace her leg to give her extra support or encourage the leg/foot to fuse or heal in a natural position? Should I just let nature take its course? I’m pretty good with splints, wrapping, caring for injured critters (have a horse farm and a forest- always patching up and releasing injured wildlife), but I’m not sure with this one. Advice would be greatly appreciated!!!

 

[Wezdin]

The chicken will always need you to care for it if you decide to keep it, does she have feeling in the foot?

 

[danceswithronin]

As long as she is eating/drinking/pooping and doesn't appear to be in pain or developing issues in the remaining leg, I'd probably let her go about her business.

 

[Mylied]

I'd splint it so it's in a natural position instead of curled over. They are resilient when given the chance. She might regain use of it. I wouldn't cull if she's doing her chicken thing without signs of distress.

 

[Eggcessive]

Is a vet possible, even a farm vet, who could examine the leg or do an xray? If not, I would splint the foot in a natural position. Does she put the damaged leg down and bear weight?

You can splint the foot with a finger splint in an L shape with padding and vet wrap strips that can be removed daily and checked.

This link for splinting on page 22-24 shoes how to splint a foot:
https://theiwrc.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Duerr_Splinting_Manual_2010.pdf

 

[Eggcessive]

Here is a skeleton to identify bones:

 

[SoFluffy!]

Thank you all! I will splint and see how it goes. She really is quite happy and I certainly don’t mind helping her on a daily basis. She is a sweet little thing and seems determined to live, so she will have all the time she needs to get well

 

[Eggcessive]

I would also give her some extra B vitamins—B complex or super B complex 1/4 to 1/2 tablet daily crushed or grated onto food or egg. Brand does not matter.

 

[bobbi-j]

You're the only one who can decide. Personally, I'd probably process her if she were mine. My chickens free range, and she would be the first to be taken if a predator came around. To me, a quick ending by our hand is far kinder than the terror she'd feel if she were to be grabbed by another fox. But, that's just my opinion. As long as she's not suffering or seeming to be in pain, I don't think there's a wrong answer here. It all depends on how much time and effort you want to put into keeping her.

 

[ButtonquailGirl14]

I would splint!