2 day chick has twisted leg

[DGandC]

ok opened separte thread, i think. she hatched wed and just arrived yesterday.
leg is twisted. she does move some, but not a lot.
trying to treat as tendon issue, but not sure it is that.
knee seems swollen and has bump on one side.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Looks like a leg bone deformity.

https://www.merckvetmanual.com/poul...arus deviation of,in turkeys than in chickens.

 

[DGandC]

been wondering about that. Thanks for the link

 

[DGandC]

Little bird is still alive, so decided to compare the list of criteria to see if she was worth saving:

• A lethargic chick -- She is NOT lethargic
• A chick that can’t maintain body heat - she is only 3 days old, have to provide heat anyway
• A swollen, or infected leg -- knee is swollen, that is all, and not huge, no sign of infection
• Other deformities present in addition to the lame leg - unknown, but leg is looks like it is attached backwards and constantly gets in her way when she tries to move.
• The inability to balance on one leg - can't tell. Her leg drags on floor and other things, she does use her wings to move around. upside down claws on the bad leg seems to mess up her balance.
• A chick that doesn’t chirp - She definitely chirps
• The head hangs down -- her head is UP and FAIRLY ALERT

SO I am going to try and amputate twisted leg. Am setting up operation room and sent husband to get his sharpest wire cutter.

Went to check on chick and found she had poo'd. Yeah! She drinks and this morning ate a few crumbs of feed. I now have her in a separate box with heating pad from one of my outdoor cat's house. put a small sheet of cotton over her to help retain heat.

Cut a variety of possible splints to use, as well as sterile scissors and gauze pads. Set out small container for the Di-Dak-Sol/Hydrogen Perozide to sterilize leg and surgery. Have some clorox wipes, hand wipes, and a waste water bowl, as well as solid trash box. I want to surgery to be a 10 sec process, so I am taking time to prepare and steel my nerves. I have a knife set on kitchen stove at front of house if I need to cauterize, Operation room is set up back in Craft room at back of house.

I never name my birds, can't tell them apart anyway, but if this one survives, guess I will have to name this one.

 

[DGandC]

My Operating room. Sorry I have no one here to operate camara, during the process.

 

[DGandC]

Sterilized the wire snips in Disinfectant then rinsed in Di-Dak-Sol.

 

[DGandC]

DONE. I am shaking more than she is. After 4 ties to get bandage on her, I came up with this oversized diaper. she did not cry out. I kept the cut down on the lower leg and the bleeding was minimal. The bulk seems to bother most. wont need splint. hoping little knee cap will protct bottom.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hopefully all goes well.

 

[DGandC]

Named her Bink, but she did not make it. She did seem to be more comfortable, even making small chirring noises and eating and drinking a little. But she also had deformed wing, and likely some other issues. She died late this morning.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I'm sorry to hear that