Chickens are free-spirited creatures that love to go free range and discover the unknown.
Indeed, allowing your flock to free range is perfectly healthy.
Yet, sometimes, a chicken or two might have come back with some injuries, such as a dislocated or broken leg.
So, if you’re looking to discover what you can do to provide your winged pet with some quick first aid techniques for an injured or dislocated leg, look no further.
Here’s what you’re going to discover in this article
- What causes dislocated legs in chickens
- Signs Of Dislocation In Chickens
- What Do You Do For A Chicken With An Injured Leg?
- How Do You Splint A Dislocated Chicken’s Leg?
- Will Chicken’s Broken Legs Heal On Their Own?
- How Long Does Broken Chicken Leg Take To Heal?
- Can A Hen Survive With One Leg?
Lots to cover!
Let’s get started!
What Causes Dislocated Legs In Chickens?
There are several ways that chickens can get dislocated or have broken legs.
It might appear to many that chickens are okay with confined spaces, but that is nothing remotely close to the truth.
Chickens love to move about and discover new areas for free ranging.
In short, you’re mistaken if you think chickens are simple-minded beings who like to mind their own business.
And, often, to get to some unreachable spot, your chicken might have to push itself through a tight hole and end up dislocating its leg.
The cramped area, in accord with the pressure your chicken might apply to get through the hole, works against your pet and often such antics lead to harm.
Sometimes chickens manage to break their legs or dislocate their legs when they jump off a height and make an uneven landing.
The force of the landing and the weight sustained by the leg is sometimes the cause of dislocation of the leg.
Also, chickens can get their claws stuck into tight spots or holes.
And, to free themselves, they might put extra strain on the leg and end up dislocating it.
On the flip side, chickens land up with dislocated legs when something heavy falls right down on the legs.
Such accidents are infrequent but a definite possibility when random heavy objects are lying around close to your chicken’s coop.
Signs Of Dislocation In Chickens
There are naturally many signs of dislocation in chickens.
Sometimes it will be self-evident to detect that your chicken has a dislocated leg; other times, you may have to look into why your chicken might behave differently.
So, let’s look at some of the symptoms of dislocation of legs in chickens.
- Limp – if your chicken is limping with one leg or both, it is an obvious sign of an injury or dislocation.
- Bent legs – Sometimes, the dislocation is so severe that your chicken will have a bent leg. When dislocation is extensive, your chickens will have their entire leg bent backward and forward. In such scenarios, your chicken will usually stop walking altogether.
- Squatting – When chickens suffer from a leg injury, including a dislocation, they revert to squatting often.
- High Temperature – When a chicken sustains an injury on the leg, you may find high heat close to the damage. It is difficult to tell if your chicken is running a fever, but when you run your hands over its legs or claws and find heat, you might want to inspect it closely. Usually, heat around the legs clearly indicates a wound or a dislocation.
- Diminished Appetite – Most times, when animals suffer from an illness or injury, the first thing that is impacted is their appetite. If your chicken seems to be squatting more and foraging or eating far less, your chicken might be suffering from a dislocation of the leg.
What Do You Do For A Chicken With An Injured Leg?
In the case of novice chicken keepers, you are recommended to head straight to an avian vet to get your pet examined if you suspect an injury or dislocated leg.
It’s best to keep the injured chicken away from the flock, preferably in a cage.
It will also help if you provide water and feed for your bird inside its cage.
But, many experienced chicken owners know the basic first aid required for a dislocated leg in chickens.
Isolation is critical for quick recovery.
But, you will also need to provide your injured fowl with vitamin B in their meals to quicken their healing process.
Furthermore, constructing a simple splint or using a vet wrap sling will help position the leg at the proper angle and further aid recovery.
However, if your chicken doesn’t seem to improve after a day, it’s best not to linger and book an appointment with a vet.
The sooner your chicken gets medical treatment from a vet, the faster your chicken will feel better and start to heal.
How Do You Splint A Dislocated Chicken’s Leg?
You will need a medical sling and a splint.
Using a light flat stick to position the leg properly will also prove helpful.
When trying to wrap a splint around an injured chicken leg, you ought to get help from someone.
You see, when someone is holding on to the chicken while you wrap the splint around its leg will make the process easier.
You must ensure that you align the leg properly with the stick, wrap the sling gently, and never apply any pressure, as that may worsen the injury.
Will Chicken’s Broken Legs Heal On Their Own?
Yes, your chicken’s leg will heal on its own but, you will need to take your pet to a vet to make sure that the splint has been tied correctly and that your chicken needs any meds to make the pain bearable.
Also, the vet will be better equipped to advise the kind of care your chicken will need while recuperating.
How Long Does Broken Chicken Leg Take To Heal?
The time it takes for a dislocated leg depends on the severity of the injury.
Sometimes it can take 2 – 7 days for your chicken to be on the mend.
Can A Hen Survive With One Leg?
Yes, chickens can survive with one leg.
While movement will be strenuous for your chicken, however, with your help and attention, your chicken can endure and heal completely.
With your care, your chicken may learn to adapt to life with one leg only.
Wrapping Up
Chickens are resilient creatures that can adjust to different environments and living conditions.
If you feel that your chicken is injured or dislocated its leg, it’s wise to get right to the vet to resolve the matter expeditiously.
The sooner your pet is treated, the faster its healing process will be.
While it is a difficult time for your pet and you, all you need to remember is that your chicken will survive and thrive with care and attention.