sheriffdonut
In the Brooder
- Sep 19, 2024
- 4
- 9
- 14
Hi all. First time chicken owner and as my RIR's approach 5 months, they have been difficult to contain in the yard.
This evening we came home to one of our chickens stuck in the fence by her foot, I don't know how long she was stuck there for.
Sad Spunky in the car.
She was non weight bearing on this leg and seemed to be in a ton of pain; hunched over, eyes closed, panting and reluctant to walk. We decided to bring her to an Urgent Vet near us and get her some pain meds. Xrays showed a fracture of her non weight bearing bone in her leg.
Hairline fracture in the non weight bearing bone.
Spunky is home on cage rest now from her flock and on Meloxicam twice a day for inflammation. The swelling and bruising has gotten worse, but this is to be expected. Egg withdrawal is two weeks from the last dose of Meloxicam.
Here's what we learned so far.
- Clipping wings is not enough to keep a determined chicken in the yard.
- Plastic Bird Spikes are a worthy choice to deter chickens from gaining height. We've placed these ontop of the run where we think they are climbing on to escape.
- Above all else, some chickens just aren't suited for free ranging in suburban settings.
We've expanded and closed their run as this is our third escapee in the last month. We're hoping this in conjuction with the plastic spikes will stop their antics.
Will post healing updates as they happen. She is in the living room on cage rest for now.
This evening we came home to one of our chickens stuck in the fence by her foot, I don't know how long she was stuck there for.
Sad Spunky in the car.
She was non weight bearing on this leg and seemed to be in a ton of pain; hunched over, eyes closed, panting and reluctant to walk. We decided to bring her to an Urgent Vet near us and get her some pain meds. Xrays showed a fracture of her non weight bearing bone in her leg.
Hairline fracture in the non weight bearing bone.
Spunky is home on cage rest now from her flock and on Meloxicam twice a day for inflammation. The swelling and bruising has gotten worse, but this is to be expected. Egg withdrawal is two weeks from the last dose of Meloxicam.
Here's what we learned so far.
- Clipping wings is not enough to keep a determined chicken in the yard.
- Plastic Bird Spikes are a worthy choice to deter chickens from gaining height. We've placed these ontop of the run where we think they are climbing on to escape.
- Above all else, some chickens just aren't suited for free ranging in suburban settings.
We've expanded and closed their run as this is our third escapee in the last month. We're hoping this in conjuction with the plastic spikes will stop their antics.
Will post healing updates as they happen. She is in the living room on cage rest for now.
