pickledhill
In the Brooder
- Jan 12, 2025
- 7
- 2
- 14
Our girl Bonita (Lavender Orpington): We made a huge mistake at the beginning by putting straw around the inside perimeter of their brooder. The primary substrate was wood flakes, but we wanted to insulate them with it being November cold. We quickly learned that it was too slick for their baby legs and at a few weeks old her and another chick were having a hard time walking. We took the straw immediately out and separated them from the rest of the full strength flock to rehabilitate as best we could for being new chicken parents. The other one, Red, had crooked toes, but Bonita's leg issue wasn't as obvious. They stayed separate from the rest of the flock for the remaining weeks in the brooder because they were getting bullied and were still weak. Neither were walking much. They're also much smaller than the others. But it's no surprise their growth was stunted if they're not moving much. I was hand feeding them vitamins daily. They're 10 weeks old now and all 11 are out in the coop together. Red (crooked toes) is walking around and has grown significantly. Even seems to be in better spirits. Bonita on the other hand stays squatting. She can get around if she needs to, but not recovering like we hoped. She can lift her legs quite straight to stand, but is very shaky when she walks. And then quickly goes back to a squatting position. We keep a close eye on her. Putting her near the water and food when we go in to feed. But the last few days her eyes have been more closed. Less of an appetite. I had to physically pick her up and put her beak in the water bowl to get her to drink and you could tell she was dehydrated and not drinking on her own.
I initially thought she slipped on the straw and hurt a tendon and it never recovered, but it's certainly possible she has a vitamin deficiency? Or maybe something else. We'd really want her to make it, but it's sort of becoming a question of ethics. Do I keep her alive with the hope she makes it and a chance she dies naturally on her own? Or is it unethical to keep her alive if her quality of life relative to the rest of the chickens is significantly worse. Some days are better than others, but most seem to be a struggle. Maybe there's something I'm missing... I would love to do anything within my power to help this sweet girl. Would love some advice from the masters. Appreciate you in advance.
I initially thought she slipped on the straw and hurt a tendon and it never recovered, but it's certainly possible she has a vitamin deficiency? Or maybe something else. We'd really want her to make it, but it's sort of becoming a question of ethics. Do I keep her alive with the hope she makes it and a chance she dies naturally on her own? Or is it unethical to keep her alive if her quality of life relative to the rest of the chickens is significantly worse. Some days are better than others, but most seem to be a struggle. Maybe there's something I'm missing... I would love to do anything within my power to help this sweet girl. Would love some advice from the masters. Appreciate you in advance.
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