2 troubled chicks...need advice please

[BarkerChickens]

We got 51 chicks Wednesday morning! woohoo! So far, we've only had issues with 4 (of course, I'd prefer none, but such is life). Two of them are the reason for this post...

Issue 1) One of my chicks had part of one of its middle toe pecked off. We separated the chick, cleaned the wound and have been applying neosporin. However, it is a little red (and black (scabbed?) where he bone is dead) and I think I should treat it for infection. Can I use Aureomycin? Is the dose the same for a chick as it would be for an adult? Also, how do I know if it gets gangrene (or is it usually not a problem). I know part of that toe will die off since the bone is broke off and exposed. (Aside from the toe problem, the chick is doing great and active!)

Issue 2) I posted previously about one of our chicks leg. We thought it might be spraddle because it is to the side and rear. The legs are band-aid braced since Wednesday night. BUT, a friend noticed that the foot on that leg is turned to the outside (the whole foot/ankle is rotated 90 degrees...not curled toes). I haven't found a post that seems relevant (with my little knowledge). The chick can walk..though goofy. Will the band-aid method correct it well enough or do we need to do something with the foot? The chick can walk and I have no problem with a special-ed chicken. It is not being bullied, so culling is not an option.

Any suggestions?

 

[MandyH]

Issue number 1: I would say watch it and don't treat unless you have to. It also needs to dry out to heal so stop putting neo on it. Clean it, dry it and put super glue on the end of it. Of course let it dry before you put it back in the brooder.
Issue number 2: I had a chick like this and figured since he wasn't suffering I would let nature take it's course, well he is two years old now and can hang with the best of them. His knee joint is bent backwards so his foot just kinda follows him around. He even breeds the girls. He is slightly smaller than the others but nobody picks on him.

 

[MandyH]

Also where did you get your mottled javas??

 

[BarkerChickens]

Quote:
The broken toe is dry, but it is pink around the wound, which makes think it is getting infected. I have been putting neosporin on it, but it would get rubbed off so quickly, that the wound has not remained moist. I will get superglue tomorrow!

As for the mottled Javas...we ordered them through Welp Hatchery.

 

[MandyH]

Super glue is your friend. I am a nurse and that Liquid Bandage stuff they use on wounds that are too small to stitch is just super glue ! Put a good glob on the end of the toe to cover the entire wound and let him go. Check back in a couple days and then see what its doing as far as infection and such.

 

[BarkerChickens]

Quote:
Thank you SO much! It has been 2 days already. Should it be ok to wait another 2 days before treating for infection? It is already pink and I am worried that since it is a broken bone, it can spread through its little body quickly. Could I do both super glue AND tret for infection to be safe?

 

[MandyH]

You can treat for infection, I just never do. BUT that's just my stand on things, I don't like antibiotics in my birds.

 

[BarkerChickens]

I don't use antibiotics unless necessary. I just have this fear that this little guy will get some raging infection from the toe. We'll get super glue tomorrow morning and go from there. Thanks!