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Injured wing

 
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Mutton



Joined: 09 May 2009
Posts: 1508

PostPosted: Sat Oct 26, 13 8:11 pm    Post subject: Injured wing Reply with quote
    

Let the chickens out this morning and a large youngster (not sure as to gender yet) has a damaged "elbow" on its right wing. Also limping. Not sure what has done it. Examined it and the joint is open and damaged, hard to see if dislocated or broken.
As first pass brought indoors into warm, squirted purple spray into hole and put down feed. It has spent all day eating, preening and being perky, not in any distress we can see, so probably not infected and if the bird is still healthy acting in the morning we will take another look and see what we can do to splint.
So - should we splint it by binding the wing to the body, with the damaged joint bent, or extend the wing to close the damaged joint?
If it wasn't so young and perky we'd be thinking about ending it, but the perkiness says to give it a go.

stumbling goat



Joined: 20 Jan 2009
Posts: 1990

PostPosted: Sat Oct 26, 13 8:16 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

We had a limping duck recently. It was a bit limpy with a droopy wing for 2 weeks, no signs of pain or discomfort, ate and drank well. Then it was okay.

If there was any sign of pain or suffering I would have necked it. Glad I gave it the benefit of the doubt. If it had known my thought process I bet IT would have been glad as well.

If it is suffering, do the right thing, if it seems okay it may recover, as ours did.

sg

Bodger



Joined: 23 May 2006
Posts: 13524

PostPosted: Sat Oct 26, 13 8:18 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Wing and foot Mutton? I'm afraid that rather than an injury, these are typical symptoms of the onset of Mareks disease.

Mutton



Joined: 09 May 2009
Posts: 1508

PostPosted: Sat Oct 26, 13 8:20 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

No, pretty sure it is an injury - there was blood at the joint. We could see a red hole which is what the purple spray went into. Should have made that clearer.
Also very rapid onset - fine yesterday, not fine today.

Woodburner



Joined: 28 Apr 2006
Posts: 2904
Location: Essex
PostPosted: Sun Oct 27, 13 5:24 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Check the coop is secure against small but vicious predators. I'm thinking weasel or rat; must be something small or you'd've noticed the hole!

Mutton



Joined: 09 May 2009
Posts: 1508

PostPosted: Sun Oct 27, 13 5:38 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

As far as we know they are secure against weasel but not rat at night. They freerange during the day. At night they are in part of an old wooden stable block and the rats can run in up at the eaves. We are working on a program of eradication and blocking. They are anyway due to be moved to a concrete shed chicken hut as soon as we have the time to finish the work.
However the chicken are up on a perch and we are fairly low on rats at the moment and this sort of injury has not happened before in our about 5 years of chicken keeping in the same place - so might be rat, might not, interested to know that they could cause this sort of injury.

All that said, any suggestions on how to treat the wing?

He/she is doing fine, stuffing itself on corn, limp is a little better. The wing is a little better - to be a little more detailed, the main wing is no longer drooping at the shoulder and elbow, it is just the last bit of the wing from the "wrist" where the red hole is that is drooping. We were currently leaving it to droop so the wound stays open and dry and less likely to get infected. Are wondering about supporting the wing, splinting things, but as s/he is otherwise strong and perky it would be a wrestling match.
Also don't know if we should splint it bent, or splint it straight.

Leo



Joined: 25 Feb 2011
Posts: 227

PostPosted: Sun Oct 27, 13 8:13 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

I think the easiest way to help the wing repair is to use those cohesive bandages ( the ones that sportsmen use & sticks to itself).

Get the wing in correct position & bandage over the injured wing & under the other. Best left in place for at least a week (see how tatty it gets), preferably two. You may be able to access the injury to keep clean, without removing the support.

The acid test when you remove the dressing, is wether the bird can keep the wing 'up'. If not, the wing will drag along & get further damage as it gets trodden on. It's usually nerve damage if the wing drops, & they often don't repair.

Mutton



Joined: 09 May 2009
Posts: 1508

PostPosted: Mon Oct 28, 13 9:59 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

OK, you are saying "bind it to the body of the bird in the closed position" yes?- just checking.

At present it is not low enough to tread on. We'll go bandage shopping later.

Leo



Joined: 25 Feb 2011
Posts: 227

PostPosted: Mon Oct 28, 13 3:47 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Yes, thats it, close to the body is the most natural position, try to get it to match the look of the good wing.
They usually hate the wrap, & spend a good amount of time trying to get it off, but will get used to it.
The cohesive bandages are good as you don't rip all the feathers out getting it off.

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