Claire Thompson
Chickens with broken bones is a common issue, especially with flighty birds that experience high-force impacts or falls. Broken bones are painful and can be crippling or even lead to death. Treatment revolves around giving the bone optimum conditions to heal itself. This may include surgery, or simply bandaging, splinting, rest and physical therapy.
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What You'll Learn
Immediate medical attention
If your chicken has a broken bone, it will require immediate medical attention. Firstly, isolate the chicken from other birds, as this will prevent the wound from being pecked at and ensure the injured bird does not overexert itself. You should also keep the chicken quiet for at least a week, limiting its activities for a few weeks after that.
If you are unable to get to a vet, you can attempt to treat the injury yourself. However, it is important to remember that this may not always be successful, and there is a risk of the bone not healing properly. If the bone is visibly sticking out of the skin, you should clean the wound and remove any feathers or maggots. You can then try to reposition the bone and bandage the limb to the chicken's body. However, this may result in a drooping wing that is unstable and not fully functional.
If the bone is not protruding from the skin, you may not need to bandage it. Instead, you can simply isolate the chicken and give it time to heal. If you do decide to bandage the injury, be careful not to apply the gauze or vetrap too tightly, as this can restrict circulation and cause further damage. Figure 8 Wing Bandages are most suited for fractures of the elbow or carpal joint, or in young chicks. The Schroeder-Thomas Splint is best used for fractures involving the shank and hock joints.
In addition to bandaging or splinting the injury, you may also need to provide pain relief and antibiotics to prevent infection. A baby aspirin (81 mg) can be cut in half and offered for pain relief. If the break is an open fracture, the chicken is more at risk of developing osteomyelitis, a secondary bone infection. In this case, you should consult a veterinarian for advice on the optimal drug regime.
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Bandaging and splinting
Figure 8 Wing Bandages are most suited for fractures of the elbow or carpal joint, or in young chicks. It is important not to apply the gauze strips or vet wrap too tightly. Schroeder-Thomas Splints are best used for fractures involving the shank and hock joints. They are made of wire with two right-angle bends next to the ring at the top of the splint, so that it runs parallel to the long axis of the leg.
When bandaging and splinting a chicken's broken bone, it is important to be very gentle when handling the bird. You should never try to catch a chicken by its legs when it is running. Before bandaging and splinting, you will need to carefully trim the feathers off the upper leg where you feel the break. Trim a space all the way around that is about 2" wide with the break being in the middle of that area. If the bones are not stabilizing on their own and you feel a lot of movement, use a wide popsicle stick, tongue depressor, or similar material as a splint on the outside of the leg. Wood applicator sticks, tongue depressors, aluminum rods, or even pool noodles can all be made into leg splints. Ensure that fractures are properly aligned to increase the chances of them healing properly.
After positioning the splint correctly, use self-adhering adhesive wrap to secure everything in place. Bandages should be wrapped firmly but not too tightly, as this may impede blood supply. You will need to check the bandage a few times a day to make sure it isn't rubbing or hurting the chicken. Bandages should be removed and replaced daily to allow adjustments for growth.
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Rest and physical therapy
Initial Rest and Isolation:
Immediately after the injury, it is important to keep the chicken calm and isolated from other birds. This isolation period is essential to prevent other chickens from pecking at the wound and to ensure the injured chicken does not overexert itself by moving around too much. The chicken should be kept in a quiet, comfortable space, preferably with limited movement for at least the first week. During this time, monitor their food and water intake to ensure they are eating and drinking adequately.
Bandaging and Splinting:
If the break is visible and the bone is moving out of place, it is recommended to splint the injured area. The type of splint can vary depending on the location of the fracture. For example, the Schroeder-Thomas Splint is suitable for fractures involving the shank and hock joints. Figure 8 Wing Bandages are ideal for elbow or carpal joint fractures in young chicks. Ensure that any bandages or vet wrap are not applied too tightly to avoid restricting circulation.
Antibiotics and Pain Relief:
Open fractures with puncture wounds carry a higher risk of infection, so it is crucial to administer a broad-spectrum antibiotic to prevent osteomyelitis. Consult a veterinarian for guidance on the appropriate drug regimen. To manage pain, a baby aspirin (81 mg) can be cut in half and offered to the chicken.
Gradual Rehabilitation:
After the initial week of restricted movement, the chicken's activities should still be limited for the following few weeks. Use your judgment and observe the chicken's behaviour and mobility. If the chicken seems depressed or the bone is not healing well, continue to provide rest and isolation. If the chicken is mobile, even with a limp, gradually reintroduce them to their usual environment. Swimming can be a good form of rehabilitation for chickens, especially ducks, as it provides low-impact exercise.
Long-term Care:
Even after the bone has healed, it is important to recognize that the chicken may not regain full mobility in the injured area. There may be permanent scarring and fusion of the bone, resulting in a slight lopsided appearance or altered gait. Monitor the chicken's movement and make adjustments as needed to ensure their comfort and well-being.
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Veterinary care
While some people opt for a DIY fix, it is always best to seek veterinary care for a chicken with a broken bone. This is because fractures are a very painful and traumatic injury for the bird, and can even be crippling or lead to death.
If you have a chicken with a broken bone, it is important to get immediate medical attention. A veterinarian will be able to assess the injury and recommend the best course of treatment. This may include x-rays, splints, metal pins and plates, or even surgery or amputations in severe cases.
If you are unable to get to a veterinarian right away, there are some first aid measures you can take. If the bone is sticking out, you can try to reposition it and bandage the wing or leg to the chicken's body. However, this may result in a non-union, where the wing or leg droops and is unstable. In this case, you will need to take extra care that the injured limb isn't dragging on the ground or being stepped on by the chicken. You can also give the chicken a baby aspirin (81 mg) for pain relief, and a broad-spectrum antibiotic to prevent infection, especially if the bone is exposed.
It is important to remember that chicken bones heal naturally, so treatment revolves around giving the bone optimal conditions to heal itself. This includes rest and physical therapy. Figure 8 Wing Bandages are most suited for fractures of the elbow or carpal joint, or in young chicks. The gauze strips or vetrap should not be applied too tightly. The Schroeder-Thomas Splint is best used for fractures involving the shank and hock joints.
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Natural healing
Natural bone healing in chickens revolves around giving the bone optimum conditions to heal itself. Firstly, it is important to identify the type of fracture. Most commonly, toes, legs, and wings are affected, but any bone in the chicken's body can be vulnerable to a fracture. A compound fracture, where the bone penetrates the skin, requires different treatment. The open wound must be washed with running water and a disinfectant. If you wish to use a natural disinfectant, you can use bergamot essential oil, plantain leaves, or a wash made from 1 cup of boiled and cooled water, 1 tablespoon of salt, and 1 teaspoon of vinegar.
If there are no open wounds, the chicken should be isolated to prevent movement and over-use of the injured area. The chicken should be kept quiet for at least a week, and then its activities should be limited for a few weeks after that. Swimming is a good low-impact form of exercise for chickens once they are ready.
To support bone healing, you can add a pinch of turmeric powder to the chicken's feed for its anti-inflammatory properties. If you have a horse and have access to a Tendon and Bone mix, you can add a teaspoon of this to the feed daily. Millet or budgie seed mix can also help improve the healing of connective tissues, and chickens can regulate how much calcium they need from this. Fresh herbs and green pick are also beneficial to add to the diet.
In terms of bandaging, it is important not to wrap the leg too tightly, as this can cause reduced blood supply and even tissue damage. The bandage should be changed daily, being careful not to expose the wound to germs. Figure 8 Wing Bandages are most suited for fractures of the elbow or carpal joint, or in young chicks. The Schroeder-Thomas Splint is best used for fractures involving the shank and hock joints.
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Frequently asked questions
Some common causes of broken bones in chickens include high-force impacts, falls, underlying illnesses, and conditions that weaken their bones, such as osteoporosis or excessive egg-laying, which can lead to calcium deficiency.
If your chicken has a broken bone, it requires immediate medical attention. You should isolate the chicken from other birds to prevent further injury and provide it with a calm and comfortable environment.
Observe the chicken's behaviour and look for physical signs. If the chicken is reluctant to put weight on a particular limb, has twisted toes, or shows visible bone displacement, it may have a broken bone.
Treatment options depend on the severity of the fracture and your resources. You can opt for veterinary care, which may include X-rays, splints, metal pins, and surgery. Alternatively, you can attempt a DIY fix with bandaging, splinting, and rest, ensuring you provide adequate pain relief and antibiotics to prevent infection.
During the recovery period, limit the chicken's activities for several weeks to prevent further injury. Provide a safe space for healing and monitor its behaviour. Once the bone has healed, gradually reintroduce activities, and be prepared for potential long-term effects, such as a lopsided gait or reduced mobility.
