1st time chicken owner - chick with foot and leg problems.

[Zulma]

Hi all. Totally new to raising chickens and to this site. We've been planning on getting chickens for a while, and earlier today we picked up our first batch of baby chicks. The man we got them from said they are anywhere from 2-4 days old. I noticed that one little chick, whom I have lovingly nicknamed Gimpy, has curled toes and one very weak leg. Gimpy's bad leg won't straighten out which makes it incredibly difficult for him/her to get around. I made some little booties out of first aid tape and cardboard about 4 hours ago to help with the curled toes, but am wondering if there's anything else I can do. Should I try and splint Gimpy's leg to straighten it out or should I just try and stretch it for him/her? Should I give Gimpy extra vitamins? Should I leave him/her with the rest of the chicks? Since putting his/her booties on I've noticed he/she has an easier time getting up after tipping or falling over and makes a serious effort to stand on his/her own. Gimpy's a fighter for sure, and I just don't want to give up on a chick from my first batch (or any other for that matter!). I want to try at least for a few days or weeks if he/she isn't suffering. I know in the end I may not be able to save him/her and I've read some threads and other pages about little chicks where people will have to "put them down", and I'm trying to prepare myself in a sense so im not totally devastated if this is what needs to be done... It's such a morbid thing to ask but how does one put down a baby chick without it suffering? Any suggestions on fixing his/her foot and leg would be awesome! Thanks!

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome! If she's better at all, and eating well, that's a very good sign. If she could be with the other chicks and still get along, that would be best, but only if she's not being picked on. It's certainly worth trying. Mary

 

[kidsandchicks]

I have an 18 week old hen who is experiencing what you are describing. She isn't putting much weight on the right leg and when she walks, the foot is curled completely under so that she is walking on the top of her foot. I've separated her from the flock because they were attacking her the other day. She is eating, drinking and pooing just fine. I attempted to wrap the foot to force it flat, but I failed and will attempt again today, lol. I'm not sure what could be wrong with her and was hoping someone would pop in to this thread with some info to share. Good luck in helping your girl recover from whatever it is!

 

[Zulma]

I checked her feet just a while ago. One foot looks a lot better, so I applied a new bandaid-only shoe to that one. The other foot is still significantly curled, so I am still using the cardboard base with a bandaid on the bottom and top. I ended up putting her in a small box by herself because the others were sitting on her, and pecking at her feet (might have something to do with the pink and purple Dora the Explorer band aids I used, since it's all we have) and every few hours I'll give her water with a little bottle and lightly stretch and flex her weak leg, as physical therapy. When she has her shoes on she doesn't topple over as often. I'm hoping once her feet are straight Gimpy will have an easier time balancing and she'll gain some strength. At that point I'll MacGuyver a leg splint to help carry her weight if needed. I felt like a shoe and splint might just weigh her down too much.

 

[Zulma]

I asked on another site what I should do since the left foot and leg still show no signs of improvement. From what It looks like my little chick has perosis, or a pulled tendon, which isn't something you can fix. I will unfortunately be putting Gimpy down tomorrow. If your chicken can't hold her weight up after having her shoes on for a day or two and one leg looks weak and it goes off to the side she might also have perosis. This complicates their life significantly since they can't walk correctly to get to their food or water and they usually end up dying from malnutrition or dehydration

I hope your girl has a better chance. Good luck!

 

[cyanne64]

I had the same type of problem with a chick I had and I tried to splint it as well. It never improved but that chic is now a huge rooster that only uses that one foot to push himself when he walks (limps). I have had him for many years now and it doesn't seem to bother him. If your chic can get around and doesn't seem to be unhealthy any other way I would give it a little time and see how it does before you give it the death penalty.