3 newly hatched chicks with leg problems

HenPen

Songster
10 Years
Apr 29, 2009
1,757
5
161
New Hampshire
My lil chicks hatched this week and 3 of the chicks have leg problem...I followed the instructions I found on another post and now one is standing and seems ok unfortunately this is the chick that does not want to keep its eyes open so although it is standing and seems ok I am worried....the 2nd chick has one leg pulled up tight and can not straighten it,I tried doing the same for this one as I did with chick #1 but his leg is very tight so I sat for about 4 minutes and slowly worked it staight and held it for a for a minute but once I let it go it went right back up.I think maybe a brace of some sort for a few days would do him good...but would like some advice...the 3rd chick has his leg pulled up tight,the joint seems swollen and both his legs have lil sores on the bottom of the joint,he was the last to hatch and seems weak I dont think he will make it ....I would appreciate any help/advice that can be offered.
 
I think I have read here of people who made splints with toothpicks to straighten the legs. I'd be concerned about the little sores. What do you have down for litter? Are you using papertowels? Shavings?
I'd say to make sure they are drinking and eating- maybe the leg problems are keeping them from eating which causes weakness. Hopefully someone ith more experience will chime in with suggestions.
 
I think the sores are a sign of serious hock damage or infection, almost impossible to treat and a lot for the chick to go through for such a slim chance. for the second one maybe a brace of pipe cleaners but if you choose this there is a chance the bone itself will twist. Give vitamins as well. I wish I had more hope to offer.
 
Update:All the chicks are on paper towels,chick #3 was removed from the bator with the sores on his legs and feet.I soon realized he had even more issues then I orginally thought and decided it would be best to cull.Chick #1 & 2 were seperated from the others,chick #2 is very lively and alert so I sat with her again and straightened her leg and braced it I also opened her foot and made a little brace to keep her toes open her leg is slightly out to the side but I have seen her manage to stand several times and she is eating & drinking well...She will praobably end up with spraddle leg and need another brace to correct that once her leg is staright..Chick #1 is still standing and able to move both legs normally he is still a bit wobbly but doing ok,I continue to dip both their beaks in water and encourage chick #1 to eat but chick #2 eats very well on her own.Chick #1 opens his eyes when ever he hears my voice now and runs over to my hand.I have added sugar to one water bowl and electrolytes/viatmins to the other water and I alternate bringing them to both.My fingers are crossed that I am doing the right thing.
 
You said you had trouble straightening chick #2's leg, is it a slipped tendon, that draws the leg up. Just want to make sure if you have braced the leg not to brace it too straight and make sure the tendon is in. You can also use a pipe cleaner to loosely brace the legs together if the one is still a little out to the side.
It sounds like they are improving, I hope they continue to get better.
 

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom