ChepachetChicks
Hatching
- Apr 25, 2021
- 3
- 0
- 2
Hi there,
first time poster but long time follower. I'll attempt to follow the emergency and injuries posting format set out.
I have a 3 week old chick (hatched 4/5/21) and unsure about breed as I had 4 different breeds but fairly certain it's either silver wyandotte or easter egger given coloring and tufting on the feet. The chick is smaller than all of the other chicks for weight and size by a bit, not by a huge margin.
Last night at 5pm I noticed them attempting to flap around and this chick was dragging its left foot behind it and hobbling. It kept getting run over by the others. I had checked earlier yesterday morning for water change and the behavior was not obvious to me then. The left leg appears to be laterally rotated when dragging as well along the "knee" portion of the chick. There is no swelling, no discoloration, and I am able to gently manipulate the leg in a full range of motion without it crying at all. The leg is warm (but not hot and not cold) and the feet will open when I manually close the toes. The only thing I can think of is two days ago, the heat lamp clasp snapped and the heat lamp fell into the enclosure. I did not witness it, just heard it happen from upstairs and when I went downstairs there were no chicks trapped under it but I am worried the chick got hit by the heat lamp and caused a knee injury or leg rotation.
Chick is eating and drinking well and I separated it from the others and have it in a small box that is half in lamp light and half out of it so it can move approximately 1 ft for temp regulation/feeding and without being stampeded by its siblings. I let it rest overnight in the box hoping it was just a leg sprain but this morning it is still dragging that left leg at an odd angle and I was hoping someone could help me as I am worried it is a slipped tendon which I have heard typically has a poor prognosis. Bedding being used is Pine shavings (fine flakes).
I have read that nutritional deficiencies can lead to bone issues but I think they are ok in that regard and they get fresh water 2x/day. Chick is vaccinated for Marek's.
Any advice folks? Anything is greatly appreciated and sorry for the long post.
first time poster but long time follower. I'll attempt to follow the emergency and injuries posting format set out.
I have a 3 week old chick (hatched 4/5/21) and unsure about breed as I had 4 different breeds but fairly certain it's either silver wyandotte or easter egger given coloring and tufting on the feet. The chick is smaller than all of the other chicks for weight and size by a bit, not by a huge margin.
Last night at 5pm I noticed them attempting to flap around and this chick was dragging its left foot behind it and hobbling. It kept getting run over by the others. I had checked earlier yesterday morning for water change and the behavior was not obvious to me then. The left leg appears to be laterally rotated when dragging as well along the "knee" portion of the chick. There is no swelling, no discoloration, and I am able to gently manipulate the leg in a full range of motion without it crying at all. The leg is warm (but not hot and not cold) and the feet will open when I manually close the toes. The only thing I can think of is two days ago, the heat lamp clasp snapped and the heat lamp fell into the enclosure. I did not witness it, just heard it happen from upstairs and when I went downstairs there were no chicks trapped under it but I am worried the chick got hit by the heat lamp and caused a knee injury or leg rotation.
Chick is eating and drinking well and I separated it from the others and have it in a small box that is half in lamp light and half out of it so it can move approximately 1 ft for temp regulation/feeding and without being stampeded by its siblings. I let it rest overnight in the box hoping it was just a leg sprain but this morning it is still dragging that left leg at an odd angle and I was hoping someone could help me as I am worried it is a slipped tendon which I have heard typically has a poor prognosis. Bedding being used is Pine shavings (fine flakes).
I have read that nutritional deficiencies can lead to bone issues but I think they are ok in that regard and they get fresh water 2x/day. Chick is vaccinated for Marek's.
Any advice folks? Anything is greatly appreciated and sorry for the long post.
