For the love of chickens. This girl Cicely needed a new leg. Thank goodness she met Andrea Martin who could make that happen. Photo Credit: Andrea Martin
I was born into chickens. We always had them. I learned traditional tips and as I “aged” began to integrate animal behavior and cognitive research into understanding the birds. I also use “feel”, and have always had an ability to understand other animals. I use my ability to read the chickens more than anything else – the science supports the intuition.
How did you meet Cicely?
We initially didn’t think about a leg for her. I assumed she would have to be euthanized – her condition was so severe. The vet (Dr. Knafo) at Tufts gave us two options – put her down, or amputate and create a 3-D prosthetic. We were thrilled and went with the amputation! She informed us this would be groundbreaking. No one had created a full leg for a gallinaceous bird before.
Cicely learns how to walk again on her training leg. Photo Credit: Andrea Martin
The first leg did not attach properly, so they are designing another. The leg will be engineered at Tufts University. It is designed from images and measurements based on her good leg. The prosthetic will be made on a 3-d printer.
Where was the surgery done? How long was it and what was the recovery like?
Her rehab will be long term. Cicely never walked, so she has no understanding of how to walk. She is perfectly happy bouncing around with one leg! She does everything a normal bird does except roost. She is happy, enthusiastic and keeps up with the flock. I have started showing her that she can put weight and rest using the training leg. She has begun to use the leg as a prop! Her muscles are atrophied and she will require a looong schedule of therapy to rebuild the leg muscle above the hock. She will also have to learn how to walk.
Happy and healthy, Cicely is a good egg layer and companion despite her physical handicap. Photo Credit: Andrea Martin
Dr. Martin is available through her website for poultry consultations and advice.
5 Comments
This gives me great hope I have a guinea hen that was a attacked and chased Away by a dog spent two days in the woods 0° weather now of course I have leg problems but I would like to use a prosthetic leg on my Guinea his lost one leg already and he’s going to lose the other one maybe you could advise me
need artificial leg for rooster he is of very rare breed. 4 months ago injured right hock, not get much better. Think it’s time to remove. So do you and how do l go about purchasing one of those awsume legs. Please help me. I live in Tasmania Australia, mobile phone 0478573892. Ring anytime, don’t care if it’s 3am just l love my bird and think its better of than a constant battle with infections,inflammation ect
Ia
Hi Shane,
The folks I know who have created an artificial leg for a chicken have created their own. If you have access to a 3-D printer, that would be a great way to create a leg. Below is an article about how an 8th grade class used a 3-D printer.
https://wjactv.com/news/local/8th-graders-create-3d-printed-prosthetic-leg-for-one-legged-chicken
I have a healthy 3yr hen who has started picked at her chest to the point of almost standing on her head. None of the other hens are doing this. I do not see any mites or etc, I bathed her, the treated her for mites just in case 4 days ago. She does not do this all the time but seems to be doing it more in the afternoon. I talked to an online vet and she did not a clue. I sent her pics and she said she saw nothing wrong.
How wonderful….please to read and how she will do well