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Will a Chickens Broken Leg Heal on its Own?

Having chickens as pets means you will need to be prepared for a lot of things such as fractured wings and legs. But the question is, will a chickens broken leg heal on its own?

The answer to this question depends on how bad the situation is. A chicken’s broken leg can definitely heal on its own if it is just a minor fracture. However, if the situation is bad then it needs to be shown to a vet as soon as possible.

Now you might be thinking why do I need to show it to a vet? or why would a vet be necessary? The thing is birds have delicate bones that are mostly hollow from the inside. Therefore, it needs special care and treatment.

There are a lot of things that you need to know about chicken injuries such as broken legs or wings. Luckily, you have come to the right place as I am going to tell you about everything you need to know.

Will a Chickens Broken Leg Heal on its Own

As already mentioned, it totally depends on what the situation is. A chicken can easily heal a broken leg if it is just a minor fracture however, in some cases, it might not be possible.

There are two types of fractures that can occur in chickens, open and closed fractures. Open fractures are when the bone is protruding from the skin while in closed fractures the bone does not break through the skin.

If your chicken has an open fracture, then it is necessary that you take it to the vet as soon as possible. The thing with open fractures is that they are more likely to get infected which can cause a lot of problems.

On the other hand, if your chicken has a closed fracture, then you can try to treat it at home. The first thing you need to do is immobilize the leg with a splint. You can use anything for this such as tongue depressors, Popsicle sticks, or chopsticks.

After that, you need to clean the wound and then wrap it in gauze. Make sure that the gauze is not too tight as it can cut off the circulation. Once you have done that, you need to take your chicken to the vet as soon as possible.

How to Tell if a Chicken Has a Broken Leg

First of all, you need to know how to tell if a chicken has a broken leg. This will help you timely take care of the poor bird without letting it suffer too much.

There are a few signs that can help you determine if your chicken has a broken leg. One of the most common signs is limping. If you see your chicken limping, then it is definitely an indication that something is wrong.

Another sign of a broken leg is if your chicken is not putting any weight on the affected leg. This is because it is in too much pain to put any pressure on the leg.

Another thing you might notice is that your chicken is favoring one side. This means that it is not using the affected leg at all and is instead using the other leg to move around.

If you notice any of these signs, then it is best that you take your chicken to the vet as soon as possible.

Why do Chickens Legs Mostly Break?

A chicken’s broken leg might be due to an accident sometimes such as jumping from a very high wall. Although it flaps its wings to produce a parachute effect the impact can still be high. However, this is not the main reason in most cases.

According to studies and observations, the main reason behind a chicken’s broken leg is due to predator attacks. If you are living in an area with lots of coyotes, jackals, raccoons, or any other such animals, then they might be the reason your chicken’s leg is broken.

These animals mostly attack at night when the chickens are sleeping in their coops. They jump on the chicken and break its legs so that it can’t run away. This makes it easier for them to kill and eat the chicken.

What Do You Do for a Chicken With an Injured Leg?

The next thing that you might be interested to know is what you can do for a chicken with an injured leg. Well, the answer to this question depends on the severity of the injury.

If your chicken has a minor injury, then you can easily treat it at home. However, if the injury is severe, then it is best that you take it to the vet as soon as possible.

If the injured leg is not that bad then here is a proper way to take care of it at home. First of all, observe the wound and see if it is open and bleeding. If it is bleeding then you will need to clean it with something such as hydrogen peroxide or betadine.

After that make a splint with two pieces of wood or popsicle sticks. You can use anything that is long and thin. Once you have made the splint, tie it around the chicken’s leg with a cloth or tape.

After that, you need to put some antibiotic ointment on the wound and cover it with gauze. Make sure that the gauze is not too tight as it can cut off the circulation.

What Material Can I Use to Treat a Wounded Chicken Leg

Knowing what material to use for the proper treatment of a chicken’s wounded leg is crucial. Even if you are not a vet you should know the temporary first aid to soothe the bird. 

There are a few things that you can use to treat a chicken’s wounded leg. One of the most common things that people use is hydrogen peroxide. This is because it helps to clean the wound and also kills any bacteria that might be present.

The next thing that you need to do is to give the hen some pain relief. This can be either some pain relief medication from your vet or a human pharmacy. If you don’t have access to it then a simple concoction of apple cider vinegar will also do the job.

You will need three tablespoons of vinegar to one quart of water. Soak the chicken leg in the mixture for about 10 minutes two times a day. Also, make sure to restrict the movement of the wounded chicken by making a temporary pen or something. This will expedite the recovery process.

How Do You Make a Chicken Leg Brace?

If you have a wounded chicken with a fractured leg or wing then you need to know how to make a chicken leg brace. This will help the chicken to heal properly without putting any extra strain on the leg.

The first thing that you need to do is to take two pieces of wood or something similar. The wood should be long and thin so that it can act as a splint. After that tie the wood around the chicken’s leg with a cloth or tape.

The next thing that you need to do is to put some antibiotic ointment on the wound and cover it with gauze. Make sure that the gauze is not too tight as it can cut off the circulation.

You can also use a human ACE bandage wrap for this purpose. Just make sure that it is not too tight.

The last thing that you need to do is to make sure that the chicken stays calm and doesn’t put any strain on the leg. This can be done by making a temporary pen or something similar.

Last Minute Thoughts!

Will a chickens broken leg heal on its own? The answer to this question can be both yes and no, depending on the situation. If the injury is bad then it won’t heal on its own and you will need to take it to the vet.

If the injury is minor then you can easily treat it at home with the help of a chicken leg brace. Just make sure that you keep the chicken calm and don’t let it put any strain on the leg. In either case, it will need proper care and medication.

You should never leave a chicken with a broken leg or wing in the coop with other birds. There is a higher chance that the situation will get worse and the bird will end up getting killed by other birds. So, it is always better to be safe than sorry.

If you have any more questions or doubts then feel free to ask in the comments section below. I would be happy to help you out.