[viettaclark]

Lulu has damaged a leg by flying up and knocking it on a chair in a moment of hysteria!
She is not putting weight on it at all but it seems to work ok as she lowers and raises it occasionally so would it be broken?
She is eating and drinking and flew out of the coop for treats this lunchtime then collapsed again. She uses her wing for support and shuffles about on her tum but mostly just lies there.
She did it yesterday morning and managed to get up into the coop to lay an egg!
Last night she collapsed in the coop doorway and the younger ones piled in on top of her with bums sticking out of the pophole so I had to adjust them all to close it!!
Should I give it some time? I tried to look but she flapped so much I was worried about hurting her more.....

[Kathie]

Hi, I'm no expert but I would take her to the vet.  Good luck

[PaulineM]

Hi
She could have dislocated it, I agree a trip to the vet by the sounds of it 

[Beano]

I would also take her to the vet, if only for some painkillers. Meanwhile make sure that she does not have any opportunities to climb or hop onto anything, in case she falls and makes things worse. If you can separate her within view of the others and keep her on level ground and calm all the better. Hopefully time and rest and painkillers will soon get her on the mend.

[orchardlady]

If you can gently take her out of the hen house this evening just as she has retired for the night. Hens become quite docile at this time of night. Hold her wings firmly by her sides and gentle turn her upside down like an up turned beetle laying her on the ground. She should be absolutely still and not panic now. Carefully manipulate her  hurt leg and then her good leg, feel with your finger right up the leg to the joint. If you can feel a grinding feeling she may well have broken her hip bone. If that is the case a swift dispatch is probably the kindest thing to do. Of course I very much hope this is not the case and that she has just pulled a muscle and makes a full recovery.

Orchardlady.

[viettaclark]

Thank you so much Orchardlady.
I have given her a good feel and can't feel grinding anywhere. That's not to say it's not broken but the leg isn't hotter than the other and moves properly when I extend it. The knee joint seems swollen though and I'm hoping and praying she's strained it.
She got up into the coop again tonight and managed to move across the rungs to her corner. She has eaten and drunk today (I also gave her the worms I dug up when doing my runners trench!)
It must be painful but I'm going to give it a day or two of supervision (luckily I'm at home) and see if she improves.
The tip you gave about upturned beetles was fantastic! This is the way forward for checking over the more skittish chooks.

[viettaclark]

Just to let everybody know that Lulu has begun to hop on her good leg and puts down the duff one a bit and tests her foot.
We have had a tummy-wriggle-flap movement for a week (Lord knows how she managed to get up and down the ladder....flapped her wings!) but I kept the faith because she was still eating well and aware of everything going on.
So...a sprain of some sort but hopefully on the mend!
I am so relieved!
Thanks for your kind words and advice.