3 day old chick has messed up legs, need advice.

[Mike bird nerd]

what I would do is cut a straw the length of his/her leg and guide the toes though it, the first few days it will move and look just as bad but her/his bones are still flexible enough to correct leave the straws on for a week and see if it gets better if not I think you must cull it. But remember if it survives till adulthood DON'T BREED HER/HIM

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Thank you. Do you have any advice on doing that? Like how to hold it or cover it or something to make it easier?

I'm sorry about your chick.
For putting a chick down, this is probably the easiest - article is well done and not graphic.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...-for-squeamish-people-slightly-graphic.74734/

 

[Mike bird nerd]

I'm sorry about your chick.
For putting a chick down, this is probably the easiest - article is well done and not graphic.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...-for-squeamish-people-slightly-graphic.74734/

i suggest first trying to help it for a week and only if it fails cull it

 

[Wyorp Rock]

i suggest first trying to help it for a week and only if it fails cull it

OP is requesting help to cull the chick - that is the information I gave them.
Respecting the OP's request is first and foremost.

Others have suggested "fixing" the legs already so she does have that information.
Not all leg issues can be fixed and I have personally seen chicks suffer for a few days while I was waiting to see if my "help" or "fix" would be of benefit. Now most of the time if a chick has leg issues and I can't help them within a day - I cull. Not all can or should be saved.

 

[Mike bird nerd]

I understand your point of view but I have saved 3 chicks this way that is now almost 5 years old and they are laying every other day so I think the least you can do in a situation like this is try for 7 days if it gets worse or stays the same then cull

 

[Mike bird nerd]

I understand your point of view but I have saved 3 chicks this way that is now almost 5 years old and they are laying every other day so I think the least you can do in a situation like this is try for 7 days if it gets worse or stays the same then cull

I think as long as you are responsible enough not to breed it you should attempt helping it out

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I understand your point of view but I have saved 3 chicks this way that is now almost 5 years old and they are laying every other day so I think the least you can do in a situation like this is try for 7 days if it gets worse or stays the same then cull

what I would do is cut a straw the length of his/her leg and guide the toes though it, the first few days it will move and look just as bad but her/his bones are still flexible enough to correct leave the straws on for a week and see if it gets better if not I think you must cull it. But remember if it survives till adulthood DON'T BREED HER/HIM

This is an open forum so all suggestions and points of view are welcome. Again, I answered the OP's question. Other suggestions have been made to see if the OP can help correct the legs. It's ultimately up to them to decide what happens to the chick. It would be nice if the problem can be corrected.

You have also offered your suggestion about how to correct the legs and that's great. If you have photos so the OP can get a better idea of how to do this it would be helpful as well.

 

[Mike bird nerd]

Good idea!
I don't have any chicks right now but I will try something.

 

[Mike bird nerd]

option 1:
use a pipe cleaner or a flexible tube with wire trough it in a figure 8 shape to hole the legs closer together.

 

[Mike bird nerd]

option two:

use a piece of straw on both legs too make them straight this can be confined with the first method to make them closer together too if necessary.