chicken can be a lot like shaver . They squabble , like to explore the outdoors , adore treats , and have their moments of prettiness . And the moment our backs are turned , they get themselves into a heap of problem .
“ assist ! Are you there ? ” was the inst message I awoke to a duo of weeks ago . It was from my ally Kara , mom to both chickens and nipper , and I could sense a tone of desperation . I immediately respond in the affirmative .
It plough out that , due to the onslaught of end - of - school - year events — promenade , field day , yearbook solar day , class head trip — Kara had barely had fourth dimension to bathe , let alone focus on her stack . She was therefore utterly horrified to learn that her favored hen , Harriet , was limping gingerly around her rill , her outermost toe barely bond to her foot . Kara had research for scraggy fencing , boisterous rock , anything that could have damage Harriet ’s toe … and had come up empty .
“ Will I have toeuthanizeher ? ” she asked .
luckily for both Harriet and Kara , mercy killing was not only unnecessary but not even an option . I had been in this exact situation class ago with my Marans hen , Nestle . Like Kara , I had no idea what had caused Nestle ’s toe to get bray . With my background in emergency medical inspection and repair , however , I was able to treat my girl .
I was therefore able to train Kara through what she needed to do to help Harriet : volaille toe amputation .
Ana Hotaling
Gather Your Supplies
Decide where you will be treat your chicken . A sporting , well - lit Earth’s surface in your basement , laundry way , or workroom works well .
Drape the open with a clean , flabby towel and have a receptacle for medical waste matter fend by . chafe alcohol , cotton ball , sterile gauze , aesculapian - grade adhesive tapeline , a veterinary antiseptic / sealer such as Blu - Kote , and an antibacterial unguent are necessary supplies . So is a sharp , sterilize pair of snips .
Veterinary wrapper is optional , but should be considered if your poulet ladder is dusty or muddy .
Ana Hotaling
Have styptic gunpowder or corn starch stomach by in case of hemorrhage . You will also need an additional set of hands , preferably ones accustomed to deal chickens , and a clean tote or large carton with fresh shavings , feed and water . Ana Hotaling
Treating Your Bird
It ’s best to operate on your bird betimes in the cockcrow , before she has a chance to fulfil hercrop . This way , there is less chance of puking while she is on her back .
softly place her , belly up , on your disposed Earth’s surface . Have your assistant outdoor stage on the diametric side of the mesa . From here , they can hold your Gallus gallus in office , one hand on either side of her rib cage and , if potential , they can stroke your chick ’s belly to settle down her down .
Disinfect the skin around the chicken toe using the inebriant and cotton balls , then wipe down the blade of the snips as well . go along by firmly cutting the toe off at the point of least connectivity to the rest of the groundwork . depend on the state of the Gallus gallus toe , there may be little to no bleeding . If bleed persists , dip the land site instyptic powderor corn starch .
Ana Hotaling
Once any bleeding has been arrest , seal the wound with the veterinary antiseptic / sealer . Apply a thin layer of antibiotic ointment to a small subdivision of gauze bandage , then implement the treated gauze to the operative site , wrapping the residuum of the gauze securely around the doll ’s foot and securing it in billet with aesculapian adhesive tape . Cover this with the veterinary wrap if want .
The wrapping should be close-fitting but not tight . You do n’t want to restrict circulation . Ana Hotaling
Post Surgery
Place your patient inside the recovery lug to eat and drink immediately after surgery . This everyday activity will comfort her and put her at ease . She may settle down and catnap after she wipe out . She may pick out not to run through now . Keep an centre on her throughout the day .
Once she has use up , drank and pooped , re - value her . Take her out of the tote and see how she handles moving . She will still favour her uninjured fundament but should be capable to walk . If she seems industrious , put her back with her flock . It ’s also fine to keep her separated from the others overnight .
It will take a few week for your bird to altogether mend . Change the dressings often and give your Gallus gallus plenty of TLC . Without a toe , your chicken may not be able toperchany longer , so be disposed to make a nestbox or section of the chicken coop floor cosy for her .
She should , however , be able to swan , scratch and otherwise do everything the repose of her lot does .
Kara describe back recently that operate on Harriet was one of the most nerve - wrack things she had ever done . Harriet convalesce swiftly and , while she sleeps in one of her cage ’s nestboxes now , her antics are exactly as they were prior to her accidental injury … which is a far cry intimately than the regard alternative .
