1 week old easter egger chic with impacted crop?

Many times weakness stems from vitamin deficiencies on the breeder birds part. If they were lacking certain vitamins, the chicks hatch weak. Not always, but many times this is the case. Sometimes improper incubation temperatures can cause leg issues and weakness as well. This is why I would keep up with the Poly Vi Sol. Weakness can take a couple of weeks to over come. Just make sure she has complete access to food and water at all times. Set her down right in front of a pile of food and you can use a jelly jar lid as a waterer for her. She can lay there and eat and drink all day long.

She's attempting to stand on her "elbows". Is this a normal part of the recovery process? What Im wondering isnhiw long do i lether struggle. She is eating and drinking great when i feed her. She doesnt really get to it well on her own. She is much more alert and active even today from yesterday. But niw she is just flapping and going crazy trying to stand. It's hard to watch.

This is how she is trying to stand. Her feet dont really move at all. And her elbows are starting to get raw.

newchic2013 said:

This is how she is trying to stand. Her feet dont really move at all. And her elbows are starting to get raw.

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This is actually a good sign!! She is getting stronger!! Keep her on towels to keep the hocks from getting too raw. They will heal when she gets better and starts to stand. Keep doing what you are doing, she seems to be gaining strength! You might try getting a short glass big enough to stand her in. And put her in there and make her stand for 10 mins or so a couple of times a day. This will help strengthen her legs.

Great job and keep up all you are doing!!

So Ive tried the cup a few times. She flaps and gets out of it. Clearly uncomfortable. Her feet are now turned outward. She WAS walking, up until all of this happened though. But now they seem to be facing the wrong direction. Although eating and drinking when hand fed, and seemingly healthy in every other aspect, her legs dont seem to be getting much better. How long do you think it should take for her to stand? Or will she ever if her feet are turned outward? I dont want to give up on her but i also dont want her to suffer if she isn't ever gonna get better.

Hard to say if she will ever stand or walk. Since we are not completely sure why she is in this condition, we can't know the outcome. I look at it this way...is the bird living a decent life....is the bird strong enough to continue on and does it wish to? Can you take care of a disabled bird? She may heal, she may not.

Right now I am dealing with an old hen that had a stroke. She has lost all use of her legs, and lives in a low basket, but is still happy to be alive, loves to lay in sunbeams, gets overly excited for treats and truly enjoys life yet. She is a TON of work to keep her clean, move her around, keep her fed, watered and warm. But I WANT to do it and will continue until she wants to give up on life and passes or I have to put her down because she is suffering. I keep her in a basket with towels to keep her upright, food and water right there for her to eat and drink all day long. She is still in the flock and even flock leader! But she has NO use of her legs at all.

Suffering is hard to tell in a bird. If they still enjoy eating, and eat well, drink well, seem alert and no obvious pain, they no they aren't suffering. But if they are disabled, they do need extra care and attention. They can still do chicken things if given the proper care. If you are unable to give them this much time and attention, then sometimes the best option is to put them down. You need to analyze the situation.

I think she may have slipped tendons. Her feet are both rotated outward and hocks seem swollen. Im guessing i cant "set" them as they've likely been out for a week. Thoughts?