Leg deformity help

[kmpcfp]

This chick just hatched assisted 36 hours after the last chicks hatched and it has an obvious leg deformity. Is this fixable?

I can turn it's leg into a semi normal position without the chick peeping in discomfort, but it's umbilicus is obviously not centered. I am also concerned it has internal abnormalities too.

In a hundred or so eggs I have only had 1 deformity and that was my first hatch. This hatch from shipped eggs I had 3/6 that hatched with a visible deformity, this one being the worst. So frustrated. They were expensive salmon faverolles.

 

[kmpcfp]

Well I made a kind of cast with flexible plastic and flex-tape to keep the joint straight and recasted this morning. The leg has made an improvement. Hopefully with daily recasting it will come to a point the joint straightens out. She's pooping and is super alert today so hopefully no internal organ issues. She's able to hobble around in the brooder.

 

[SmiYa0126]

How is she doing today? Such a cute fuzzy chick!

@Eggcessive @azygous @Wyorp Rock please help

 

[Eggcessive]

Have you started some vitamins that contain riboflavin (B2?) Poultry Cell 2 drops daily, or human b complex tablets 1/4 tablet daily crushed and mixed with a spoonful of water are good.That can help with leg problems. If there is a leg bone deformity, it might be better to let the chick get around on it’s own. Splinting or taping can sometimes cause more damage if they get too tight. Chicken slings sometimes can be helpful to place them in for them to eat and drink. Here is a thread with many examples:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/versions-of-chick-chairs-please.1166308/

 

[kmpcfp]

Yes, I have started b vitamins. The chick sling link is very helpful.

It's loosely wrapped and have already changed it twice. If I leave it off, she drags her foot behind her and balances on her wing instead.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

it's umbilicus is obviously not centered. I am also concerned it has internal abnormalities too.

Does the chick have a normal vent and is pooping?

What's going on in the photos I have circle - is this what you are talking about where the umbilicus is not centered?

 

[kmpcfp]

Does the chick have a normal vent and is pooping?

What's going on in the photos I have circle - is this what you are talking about where the umbilicus is not centered?
View attachment 3436654
View attachment 3436656

Yes, that is it's umbilicus. It's pooping normally and quite lively. I have it in a semi-sling now and it's able to eat/drink on its own.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

That's interesting.

You never know, some chicks can overcome their difficulties and thrive, but a lot of times with leg deformities as they grow and gain weight they may start to fail as well.
Time will tell.

 

[kmpcfp]

That's interesting.

You never know, some chicks can overcome their difficulties and thrive, but a lot of times with leg deformities as they grow and gain weight they may start to fail as well.
Time will tell.

Yea, I am trying to figure out why this hatch went so wrong.

The eggs were from a reputable breeder with a webpage and a facebook, shipped UPS and picked up within 2 days. She hatches 100s of chicks a year and has never had these deformities.

I have 3 thermometers running 99.5-100 and humidity was 35-40 until lockdown.

It's possible there was a temp spike up to maybe 102 for a few hours to half day, but I am beginning to wonder if there was some toxicity issue, as we have been redoing floors in the house (patching compound).

I have 8 more eggs of my own due to hatch in 4 days so we will see how those look.

 

[kmpcfp]

I have narrowed down the deformity to the "knee joint" where the tibia/fibula meet the femur. I have been doing physical therapy by manipulating the joint in a walking motion. She seems to not mind (fell asleep) and it will stay for a few moments as pictured until it rotates back 90 degrees when she starts kicking.