Leg issue with a five week old Blue Indian Chick.

My peachick named Rockie hatched on August 19, 2015. After placing her in a brooder for needed warmth, I noticed after she was dry she looked as though she had straddle leg. However, I soon learned after viewing many articles and You tube on how to fix straddle legs in chicks. By using a Band-Aid between her two legs using the padded area as a buffer in keeping the two legs apart. However, I soon came to terms with myself that the Peachick just might had issues while still in the shell! Which caused a birth defect on the right leg, that turned the foot and leg to a 45 degree stance. I continued to place medical tape around both legs, (keeping 1.5 inch space between the two legs) in providing enough support for the chick to stand up. Here I am with a five week peachick and she is no better off than the day she was born. Currently she appears healthy, but she doesn't eat much unless I place my fingers in her feed bowl and raise it up to eat from my fingers. she does drink water but even at that she's not drinking enough. Her legs are not strong enough to keep her standing and often enough she falls on her back and she kicks to right herself. I don't think there is a cure or another way to help her live long enough to find a way to walk on her own. She won't eat mesh grain, unless I put some electrolyte in her food to create little clumps that appeals to her. I've talked to two Vets, one Vet told me to put her in a sling with the legs dangling, not touching the brooder floor. But that means I'll require at least three to four plus hours daily to keep her fed and watered. Currently I'm unemployed so I have the time to care for her . But I will have a job next month and that's another issue. In any case the second Vet told me to kill her. I will not do what an a--hole Vet suggested. Hence, I'm asking everyone and anyone to lend me your voice! I feel deeply that if I can keep her eating and drinking, in the hopes of her growing. Just maybe she'll at least be able to gain the strength enough to hobble about. Since she isn't in any pain what so ever, I over rule any Vet's ridicules comment. Your comments are welcome, less any comments on putting her down. Thanks

Sorry you are having these troubles with your little guy.

I do not have experience with this kind of thing, but as I understand it, leg problems get more difficult to solve as time passes. We definitely have some peapeople here who have experience with leg problems so hopefully they'll have some advice for you. One suggestion that is often made, but I'm not sure if it would help you, is the "burrito":

@frenchblackcopper 's "burrito" - basically holds the legs in the position that they should properly be in: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/896809/fixing-splayed-legs
@KsKingBee developed an alternate "sock burrito," see his posts on this page: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/971214/2015-peafowl-hatching-support-group-eggs-and-chicks/80

@frenchblackcopper - do you think 5 weeks is too old for the burrito??

New2,, I'm wondering if the tendon maybe displaced or the leg joint out of socket? The upper thigh is what I'm wondering. When the chick tries to walk does it hold the one leg inwards and try to hop instead of taking a step? I have a white peahen that went bonkers when I caught her one night to move to another pen. In the process she almost got away from me but I happened to keep hold of one leg and when she struggled it must have pulled the ball out of the socket where the thigh joins the side of the body. Needless to say,this is how I know what a peahen looks and acts like with a dislocated ball and socket on a leg.
If the chick has no control of the leg and it extends outwards then thats splayed leg which can be caused by malnutrition in the parents or taking too long after pipping the shell,to actually hatching. It sounds kinda weak,since it's not interested in much food or water,,maybe give it some electrolytes and water soluable vitamins via eye dropper?

@frenchblackcopper thanks for that input! Sounds like you think this pea need some closer examination of the joint to make sure everything is where it should be before attempting something like a burrito...
@safendiscret - Did these vets actually examine your baby, or give you advice over the phone? If they didn't actually see her leg and examine her joints, I would try for an in-person consultation.

@safendiscret , I can teach you how to tube feed and that will only require about 5 minutes per feeding 2-4 times a day.

-Kathy

Are the toes straight? Crooked toes and splayed legs goes hand in hand. @new 2 pfowl at 5 weeks it's almost impossible to get toes straightened and splayed legs is something I have never waited long to hobble together so I don't know if that remedy will work now.I know crooked toes takes a miracle to get straight after waiting more than 4 days before taping. They will look great until the tape comes off and then the toe is as it was before. The sooner the better in both cases but thats not always possible.

Hi,
The toes are straight but the foot itself is on it's side. From day one I had the peachick set up with the Band-Aid. As I mentioned the right foot has turned a 45 degree angle. When I try to tape it or band-aid it the knob or upper leg joint bends to the left close to the other leg. I never heard of a newly hatched peachick have a disloged joint.
Thanks
Safendiscret

Hi Kathy

I would love to learn how to tube feed my peafowl. I lost two adults from a bacteria and I only knew how to use a syringe to feed them. They died because I couldn't keep their crops full. I seen a picture on your post. Please explain in detail, if you could. When I see a tube like that I can only imagine how does the airway provide air?

Thanks
Safendiscret

safendiscret said:

Hi Kathy

I would love to learn how to tube feed my peafowl. I lost two adults from a bacteria and I only knew how to use a syringe to feed them. They died because I couldn't keep their crops full. I seen a picture on your post. Please explain in detail, if you could. When I see a tube like that I can only imagine how does the airway provide air?

Thanks
Safendiscret

Click to expand...

@safendiscret , check out these videos and pictures. She's only a month old, so I think you will need a size 8 or 10 french tube. @KsKingBee , what size tube do you think would be best?

From:http://www.hopkinslivestock.com/oral_dosing_article.htm
The hole at the back of the tongue is the trachea - Nothing should ever go in there!


The tube enters where the syringe is pointet:








How To Crop Feed Your Bird Diagram





-Kathy

Hello Kathy,

Thank you very much to an awesome set of video's I learn a lot. I had only wished I had such great info a month ago. In any case can you please tell me where can I purchase both the ball needle sizes online! and that of the rubber hoses for the adult peafowl!

Again Thank you !
Safendiscret