sunshinemomee
In the Brooder
- May 17, 2023
- 6
- 22
- 21
Basis of situation : got a dozen baby chicks on March 3rd, all well first few weeks, then one day early in April one chick flopping around crying...could not walk. Looked up info on internet (had not discovered BYC website yet...wish I had !!) and thought I found the problem (protein deficiency, etc) so immediately started special diet and kept her isolated so as to ensure she was eating & drinking enough and not to get trampled by the others. She seemed to be doing better and started trying to walk, but legs started becoming crossed and her toes turned outwardly. (thus I named her "KK" short for knobby knees) She has done fairly well in spite of condition and has had days where she got around better than others... but about 2 wk ago she started scooting backwards & cry every time she tries to walk or stand up. Only then did it become visually obvious that her legs were not shaped like the other chicks... so I was back to researching and came across articles on slipped tendons (and that's when I discovered BYC) and I have NO doubt this is her issue as I can clearly see & feel the tendon running down the inside of both her legs, above & below the hock !! Unfortunately several weeks have now passed since she began having her issues and even if more niacin were added to her diet at this point, I highly doubt it would fix anything because she has grown so much during all this time. Yes, I have spent hours massaging her legs and the tendons and tried to get them to slip back into rightful position with no luck. So....is it too late to expect anything positive to come of this ? I have a makeshift high chair I put her in (holds her upright sling style) several times a day to take the pressure off her legs and to feed her (although she does manage to eat and drink some on her own, it is difficult as she tends to fall forward into the dishes, as she can't properly balance herself). She does spend a few hours each day in the yard in a lush patch of clover where she picks at the greens but otherwise doesn't get around much.... rest of the time in her playpen (kiddie pool in my sunroom with sand and fresh grass clippings thick enough to make a soft base) and Yes, she has a buddy to keep her company at all times (Miss Piggy is a chick from the same batch that is turning into a wild child !) Even with all that, her hocks seem swollen and semi calloused that it would be nearly impossible to get the tendons to slip back over and into place.... am I missing something here ? Does anyone have any suggestions that might help accomplish this so she can get proper use of her legs (even if only partial compared to how she is now) ? I've had chickens my entire life (50+) and never had anything like this happen before. Taking her to a vet, surgery, etc are not options I can afford at this time and although she is getting all the special care I can manage to give her.... she is not living a quality chicken life (can't dust bathe or scratch her own itches, etc) and thus long term trying to keep her up even with all the special handicap related care does not seem humane to me. Although I would truly love to see her condition improve, I am at the point of seriously considering her days now be shortened (as I am limited to the time I have daily and what more I know to do). If anyone has advice to offer here for my sweet lil KK (be it treatment/rehab options or affirmation of culling her is best)...I would appreciate the input. (I am also well aware that Miss Piggy is being deprived of a normal chicken life as she is the constant companion for KK and therefore must live in this limited situation, separated from the rest of the flock...I can tell she is smaller and less developed than they are, which is not fair to her either).