Can "chicken physical therapy" fix this? - Page 2

In Gail Damerow's book, The Chicken Health Handbook, she mentions slipped tendons can be from a deficiency of manganese. If that is the cause, it will clear up in a month with proper supplementation. Sounds like you want to give this baby any chance it has. Thank you for not dumping in the "trash" but considering it might be able to be helped.

Wishing you both luck. Know how hard it can be when they are born with challenges.

Quote:

Originally Posted by AriLovesChickens 

Well, it's done.  Thanks for the comments.

 

I had tried straightening out its legs. It required some force. The weirdest thing to me seemed to be its feet, which never moved from the original positions. It was almost like they were paralyzed. It could kick its legs a little bit, but the bottom portion of the leg didn't move at all. So maybe it was tendon-related. I just don't know.

 

In the last couple of hours, it seemed it had given up on trying to get around, and the other chicks were picking on it a bit. It wouldn't stay underneath the Ecoglow, so I suspect it was getting cold. I feel like a jerk now (to put it politely). I just didn't have the time or dedication to try and fix something I know so little about. I figured euthanizing later would be that much harder.

 

 

 

I should go shower some attention on the six others.

Sorry to hear you lost the chick.

Birds toes are controlled by tendons (this is why perching birds can sleep perched). If it was having tendon issues I wouldn't be surprised if the position of the legs caused the toes to be splayed.

 I know it was difficult but don't feel guilty. I had a chick that way that I kept and raised for 3 months.She finally got an infection in a wound under her wing and by the next day she was having seizures from a high temperature. I will never allow a chick to suffer that long again! It was selfish of me to keep her alive so I would feel better. She died in my arms and I am not saying I didn't learn anything from the situation. It is just wrong to let them go so long in pain. You made the right choice for your chick!

Quote:

Originally Posted by AriLovesChickens 

Well, it's done.  Thanks for the comments.

 

I had tried straightening out its legs. It required some force. The weirdest thing to me seemed to be its feet, which never moved from the original positions. It was almost like they were paralyzed. It could kick its legs a little bit, but the bottom portion of the leg didn't move at all. So maybe it was tendon-related. I just don't know.

 

In the last couple of hours, it seemed it had given up on trying to get around, and the other chicks were picking on it a bit. It wouldn't stay underneath the Ecoglow, so I suspect it was getting cold. I feel like a jerk now (to put it politely). I just didn't have the time or dedication to try and fix something I know so little about. I figured euthanizing later would be that much harder.

 

 

 

I should go shower some attention on the six others.

I'm really sorry. That's such a sad decision to make. Don't feel guilty. There's really not anything you could have done for him except what you did.

Mine did exactly the same thing, so I mean it when I say I understand your pain. I know you made the best choice you could. Rest assured that he's much happier now. I'm so sorry he didn't make it. Sending you (((((hugs))))) from Texas.

I'm sorry about your poor little chicky.

I want to ask, without appearing insensitive--what are methods you all have used to go about euthanizing your birds or chicks that are clearly suffering? We are only one week into raising chicks, but we had one that appeared to suffer a LOT of shipping stress. But she hung in there so long, and was so weak and labored in her breathing, despite efforts to feed/water her, keep her warm, make her a power-shake of steeped chick food, etc. I hoped she would make it, but she ended up spending many hours barely hanging on. I didn't want her to keep suffering, but couldn't think of a humane way to end her misery. She died hours later, but I feel bad for letting her suffer for so long; I'd rather know what to do if there is a 'next time'.

Quote:

Originally Posted by figliadelre 

I'm sorry about your poor little chicky.

 

I want to ask, without appearing insensitive--what are methods you all have used to go about euthanizing your birds or chicks that are clearly suffering? We are only one week into raising chicks, but we had one that appeared to suffer a LOT of shipping stress. But she hung in there so long, and was so weak and labored in her breathing, despite efforts to feed/water her, keep her warm, make her a power-shake of steeped chick food, etc. I hoped she would make it, but she ended up spending many hours barely hanging on. I didn't want her to keep suffering, but couldn't think of a humane way to end her misery. She died hours later, but I feel bad for letting her suffer for so long; I'd rather know what to do if there is a 'next time'.

I'm a wimp, I took my pups to the vet.  Had it been a chick I suspect I would have searched and read this thread http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/536346/best-way-to-euthanize-a-baby-chick

This link may have a little better info.  Maybe I will keep a cartridge or two on hand as I gear up my chicken hatching, so I'm prepared.  I hate this, I feel for the OP but it has helped me to think about the potential problems and prepare myself psychologically.  Here is the link:  http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1075640/