Young hen with injured leg or bumble foot

[Chickenmath7]

My 5 mo. old free range hen went missing last night and finally showed up this afternoon, but she was hopping, putting no weight on one leg. She had a tiny smear of blood on the top of her leg, where the feathers start, but no obvious wounds even upon thorough examination. Her leg is warm and her foot is swollen, but I can’t see an abscess. Her leg also feels floppy and loose. Can’t detect any breaks though (I’m no expert however). She’s resting indoors now, and has eaten a little moistened crumble and fruit. She’s very quiet and a little “pancaked”. What would be the suggested next steps? Attempt treatment for both breakage/dislocation and bumble foot and hope for the best?

 

[ChicNmom]

It seems more like an injury than bumble foot, unless you see the swelling and black scab on the bottom of her foot.

I wonder if she was trying to get away from a predator or something like that. The blood had to come from somewhere. Did you look through the feathers on that leg for a puncture or bite?

If I could feel an obvious break or joint injury I would stabilize it with vet wrap or a splint.

Did you also feel her hips to see if one feels different?

If you think she is in pain you could give a low dose 81mg aspirin.

Here is some information on chicken slings or chicken chairs for leg injuries.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/versions-of-chick-chairs-please.1166308/


I haven't dealt with many leg injuries. You could do a search for broken/dislocated leg and look at past threads for ideas.