BackYard Chickens › BYC Forum › Raising BackYard Chickens › Raising Baby Chicks › Chicks can't walk not spraddle leg need advice
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Chicks can't walk not spraddle leg need advice

post #1 of 8
Thread Starter 
I received an order of large fowl Salmon Favorelle Chicks on Tuesday. Immediately I noticed that two of them couldn't walk. Their legs were not spraddled out to the side, instead they looked like they were holding a "bowl" between their legs, with the toes turned in. The remind me of a toddler in a scooter a, that moves around without straightening his legs . I tried the band aide method, but they just layed upside down as if they were "trussed" with their legs in the air. They are drinking, but I can't get them to eat. They were hatched on Sunday. I haven't checked for slipped tendon, but will do that tonight. Does anyone have suggestions. I don't think either of them are going to make it sad.png

Exhibition quality: Geese - Sebastopols - white and colored, Gray and Buff Saddleback Pomeranians, Emdens, Ducks (Runners in various colors), Silver Appleyards, Dutch Hookbills,Welsh Harlequins, Chickens - Salmon Favorelles, Araucanas, Marans (Copper Blue, Black Copper and Silver Birchen), and some heritage breeds.

Reply

Exhibition quality: Geese - Sebastopols - white and colored, Gray and Buff Saddleback Pomeranians, Emdens, Ducks (Runners in various colors), Silver Appleyards, Dutch Hookbills,Welsh Harlequins, Chickens - Salmon Favorelles, Araucanas, Marans (Copper Blue, Black Copper and Silver Birchen), and some heritage breeds.

Reply
post #2 of 8

take'em to a vet

"... the avenging arm of God will strike the wicked, and in his mighty power he will punish their pride and presumption. God will employ the powers of hell for the extermination of these impious and heretical persons who desire to overthrow the Church and destroy it's foundation. .... Innumerable legions of demons shall overrun the earth and shall execute the orders of Divine Justice... Nothing...


Reply

"... the avenging arm of God will strike the wicked, and in his mighty power he will punish their pride and presumption. God will employ the powers of hell for the extermination of these impious and heretical persons who desire to overthrow the Church and destroy it's foundation. .... Innumerable legions of demons shall overrun the earth and shall execute the orders of Divine Justice... Nothing...


Reply
post #3 of 8
Thread Starter 
Unfortunately there are no Poultry Vets in the area. There was one local Vet, but he retired. The Clinic admitted they know "Nothing about Chickens".

Exhibition quality: Geese - Sebastopols - white and colored, Gray and Buff Saddleback Pomeranians, Emdens, Ducks (Runners in various colors), Silver Appleyards, Dutch Hookbills,Welsh Harlequins, Chickens - Salmon Favorelles, Araucanas, Marans (Copper Blue, Black Copper and Silver Birchen), and some heritage breeds.

Reply

Exhibition quality: Geese - Sebastopols - white and colored, Gray and Buff Saddleback Pomeranians, Emdens, Ducks (Runners in various colors), Silver Appleyards, Dutch Hookbills,Welsh Harlequins, Chickens - Salmon Favorelles, Araucanas, Marans (Copper Blue, Black Copper and Silver Birchen), and some heritage breeds.

Reply
post #4 of 8

This website=LIFESAVER

https://sites.google.com/a/poultrypedia.com/poultrypedia/poultry-podiatry

It has many different techniques for different feet problems. It does involve some searching to find the correct article but it is a must read.

"You silly thing. Didn't they tell you...polish is not a name.. it's an acronym for Pure Out-Landishly Insanely Silly Hens." Quote welasharon
"There's no such thing as electrolytes in these parts, so that's out of the question. Unless they like Gatorade." Quote Booswalia
Reply
"You silly thing. Didn't they tell you...polish is not a name.. it's an acronym for Pure Out-Landishly Insanely Silly Hens." Quote welasharon
"There's no such thing as electrolytes in these parts, so that's out of the question. Unless they like Gatorade." Quote Booswalia
Reply
post #5 of 8

This sounds just like what one of my chicks that hatched today. i am trying the shoes for curled toes. i am intrested to see what everyone thinks,

 

1 pearl white leg horns hens,  2 barred rocks,1black australorp, 3 rhode island reds, 4 mixed hens, 1 dog, 4 mules

Reply

1 pearl white leg horns hens,  2 barred rocks,1black australorp, 3 rhode island reds, 4 mixed hens, 1 dog, 4 mules

Reply
post #6 of 8
Thread Starter 
I finally figured out what is wrong with my Chicks. (unfortunately, one of them did not make it), they had "slipped Achilles tendons" it's seen when chicks push very had out of the shell, or if they are squashed or stepped on by other Chicks. The treatment is to put the Chick in a "Chick Chair" in which the feet of the Chick hang suspended, but don't touch the ground. I improvised a "Chair" by using a a small sturdy box (no bottom flap), cutting an oval opening in the top, then inserting a facemask into the opening. This mask has two rubber straps, which fit around the box. I cut out the sides of the box, in order to see the Chick's legs. In the facemask I cut three holes, two for the Chick's legs and one for stool. I used the caps from water bottles (turned upside down) and taped near the Chick's face for food and water. I'll take a photo and post it. I'll take the Chick out three times a day to scratch it's back, make sure the Achilles are in the right position, inspect for pressure areas, pasted butt, and to be sure the circulation is still good. I read that it's important to keep them in the "Chair" until the swelling in the legs is down. Also, having their legs hang in. Normal position stretches the Achilles (which shortens when they sit with their legs bent under them).

Exhibition quality: Geese - Sebastopols - white and colored, Gray and Buff Saddleback Pomeranians, Emdens, Ducks (Runners in various colors), Silver Appleyards, Dutch Hookbills,Welsh Harlequins, Chickens - Salmon Favorelles, Araucanas, Marans (Copper Blue, Black Copper and Silver Birchen), and some heritage breeds.

Reply

Exhibition quality: Geese - Sebastopols - white and colored, Gray and Buff Saddleback Pomeranians, Emdens, Ducks (Runners in various colors), Silver Appleyards, Dutch Hookbills,Welsh Harlequins, Chickens - Salmon Favorelles, Araucanas, Marans (Copper Blue, Black Copper and Silver Birchen), and some heritage breeds.

Reply
post #7 of 8
Thread Starter 
I gave up on the "Chick Chair" I just couldn't bear watching it hang in the sling. When the Chick was suspended it refused to eat or drink. As soon as I took it out, it went right to the food and water dishes. Now I' m probably going to have to put it down. She tries to stand on one leg, but doesn't quite succeed. Also, the difference in size among this chick and all the others is significant. The poor baby is only 1/4 the size of the others. This is a difficult decision, since this baby is still eating a drinking like crazy. I know I'm procrastinating....

Exhibition quality: Geese - Sebastopols - white and colored, Gray and Buff Saddleback Pomeranians, Emdens, Ducks (Runners in various colors), Silver Appleyards, Dutch Hookbills,Welsh Harlequins, Chickens - Salmon Favorelles, Araucanas, Marans (Copper Blue, Black Copper and Silver Birchen), and some heritage breeds.

Reply

Exhibition quality: Geese - Sebastopols - white and colored, Gray and Buff Saddleback Pomeranians, Emdens, Ducks (Runners in various colors), Silver Appleyards, Dutch Hookbills,Welsh Harlequins, Chickens - Salmon Favorelles, Araucanas, Marans (Copper Blue, Black Copper and Silver Birchen), and some heritage breeds.

Reply
post #8 of 8

I know you won't want to hear this but some just don't make it through the first week. It's nature. I watch our forums daily and this hasn't been a good week. I feel your pain. Contact where you got them and let them know, maybe they will send replacements. Best wishes on your little ones. 

I'm not an expert,"ex" is a has been and a "spurt" is a drip under pressure!

Reply

I'm not an expert,"ex" is a has been and a "spurt" is a drip under pressure!

Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Raising Baby Chicks
BackYard Chickens › BYC Forum › Raising BackYard Chickens › Raising Baby Chicks › Chicks can't walk not spraddle leg need advice