hurt chicken - advice please!

[daisychain7]

Evening all
I would be very grateful for your advice...I have no idea what to do.
I have just been out to perch 2 of my more dozy chickens (that's another story) and I noticed that one of my other chickens was hurt.
I brought her indoors so I could see her - she has hurt her wing - I googled the skeleton and I think it is the joint called the carpus (I am no expert). It has been bleeding on the top and the joint is quite swollen. It isn't bleeding much now but obviously has been because the feathers on her side are a matted mess. I have sprayed her purple to cover up the blood so the others don't have a go at her. I don't know if putting her back outside was right or wrong, she is obviously quite shaken, but she'll be warm and less stressed with her flock won't she? (She's one of seven.)
I don't know what to do. Wait to see how she is in the morning I suppose?
The chickens are in a large but completely enclosed run. I can only speculate that something spooked them and she flew against the fence.
Thank you

 

[rick]

I'm no expert either but I think its probably best to keep her away from the others until she's strong again. But I don't think she would get in any more trouble in the dark and I'm sure you will get lots of help on the morning.

 

[chrismahon]

Hello Daisychain7. As Rick says she will need isolating. The joint needs a vet examination because if it is broken or dislocated she will be in a lot of pain and I would PTS immediately. If it is just a surface wound and bleeding she needs to be kept quiet until mended. Integration of her afterwards back in with the others is going to be very difficult and will take time and patience. You may need to take another out and introduce as a pair.

 

[Marigold]

I agree with Chris, but if your run is large enough, and you think it's just shock and a surface injury, for a few days it would perhaps be best to make her a little enclosure in one corner of the run with some mesh or netting, so she can see the others and thus stay integrated. You could put her back in the coop with them overnight. Also she will maintain her acclimatisation to outdoor temperatures which is important at this time of year.
I have a little corner like this all set up ready with the door usually left open, mainly for the use of Marigold, my Buff Sussex, who goes broody ith monotonous regularity every few weeks in summer!
I do hope she's better today - as it sounds like accidental damage rather than predators, she stands a good chance I would think.