3-week old chick with a bad leg - any advice please

[bgmathteach]

Bernadette turned 3 weeks old today. She was OK until this afternoon when she started limping. She is otherwise fine - energetic, eating, pooping etc. But as you can see from these two videos she has something wrong with her leg. I am thinking she sprained something. There are three chicks the same age and they all freak out and go crazy when I reach in to top up feed etc. so I am thinking someone landed on her leg or something like that.
I would welcome any advice on what to do.

Since she was fine in other vids, and I'm assuming no curling toes previously, if you are able to keep her calm/off it (ha, ha, yeah, I know, hard with a chick!) I havemade a 'sling' of sorts by using a handkerchief folded in 1/2, and 2 slits cut for the legs, and stretch it across a box (clip each side) to support her and keep her off the leg...but she can still move the leg....make sure it is too high for her to touch the box bottom...or she will flip herself out.

Also, you might need to take a piece of cloth and clip it over her back (both sides) so she doesn't get out. Make sure she can reach food & water in the 'sling/support. If possible, also have the area low light to keep her somewhat subdued.

 

[RoyalChick]

Here's a tip for calming chicks when you need to handle them.

First, understand that chicks are well aware they are prey, and they are ever alert to anything diving at them from above. Their natural instinct is to run like the devil away from it.

Therefore, when reaching for chicks, avoid doing so from directly above. Instead, insert your hand at an end of the brooder away from the chicks and then snake your hand along the floor of the brooder until you reach the chick you need to pick up. Edge your hand up to its toes and then pause, giving the chick the opportunity to walk onto your palm. Then gently reach your other hand into the brooder much the same way you did the first hand and wrap it around the chick and gently lift the chick out of the brooder.

A much better method of brooding is a brooder on a table with a side access. This way you don't need to reach in from above. You will be surprised at the almost instant change in your chicks after changing how you approach them.

I took this to the ultimate step and I now brood directly in my run which is enclosed. I actually walk into the brooding pen and the chicks have no fear of me since they can see all of me, therefore being confident that I am not a sky predator.

I think I read one of your posts on that so my in-coop brooder is at table height so I literally cannot approach them from above. I haven't tried the snaking hand approach though so I will try that. Thanks!

 

[Ponypoor]

I think so, but it is as hard to tell in person as on video.
She can walk on it, but it is obviously sore, and as you can see in one of the videos she sort of prefers not to stand on it.

Yes she is really favouring it, I think that if you can keep her quiet overnight and see how she is in the morning you might see improvement. Like maryjanet said it's good she is so young they heal very fast.

Keep us apprised I will check in with u tomorrow here or at Bob's.

 

[RoyalChick]

Since she was fine in other vids, and I'm assuming no curling toes previously, if you are able to keep her calm/off it (ha, ha, yeah, I know, hard with a chick!) I havemade a 'sling' of sorts by using a handkerchief folded in 1/2, and 2 slits cut for the legs, and stretch it across a box (clip each side) to support her and keep her off the leg...but she can still move the leg....make sure it is too high for her to touch the box bottom...or she will flip herself out.

Also, you might need to take a piece of cloth and clip it over her back (both sides) so she doesn't get out. Make sure she can reach food & water in the 'sling/support. If possible, also have the area low light to keep her somewhat subdued.

Oh poor baby! I will try and rig something up tomorrow - right now she is asleep with her brooder buddies and hopefully they won't wriggle around too much over night.

 

[Ponypoor]

Since she was fine in other vids, and I'm assuming no curling toes previously, if you are able to keep her calm/off it (ha, ha, yeah, I know, hard with a chick!) I havemade a 'sling' of sorts by using a handkerchief folded in 1/2, and 2 slits cut for the legs, and stretch it across a box (clip each side) to support her and keep her off the leg...but she can still move the leg....make sure it is too high for her to touch the box bottom...or she will flip herself out.

Also, you might need to take a piece of cloth and clip it over her back (both sides) so she doesn't get out. Make sure she can reach food & water in the 'sling/support. If possible, also have the area low light to keep her somewhat subdued.

Great idea!

 

[pennyJo1960]

Oh poor baby! I will try and rig something up tomorrow - right now she is asleep with her brooder buddies and hopefully they won't wriggle around too much over night.

Maybe put two with her if possible

 

[RoyalChick]

Maybe put two with her if possible

Yes. There are only three and they are all snuggled up together. I am hoping for the healing power of sleep!

 

[pennyJo1960]

Think she will do alright keep us posted please

 

[Kris5902]

I’m thinking probably a sprain as well… it’s not too bad a limp, and doesn’t look like anything is horribly out of alignment. Will check back in tomorrow. The chick sling is a good idea if it’s not looking improved, but they can fight the sling idea and stress or injure it further so if she’s looking like she’s mending up it might be easier on both of you to hold off on that. I’m also not a medicated feed fan, and you might want to do the vitamin supplement or see if you can swap to a non medicated one.

 

[RoyalChick]

I’m thinking probably a sprain as well… it’s not too bad a limp, and doesn’t look like anything is horribly out of alignment. Will check back in tomorrow. The chick sling is a good idea if it’s not looking improved, but they can fight the sling idea and stress or injure it further so if she’s looking like she’s mending up it might be easier on both of you to hold off on that. I’m also not a medicated feed fan, and you might want to do the vitamin supplement or see if you can swap to a non medicated one.

Thanks. I will switch out feed in the morning and add vitamins to the water.
I confess I get stressed because she is so tiny and delicate (though of course huge compared to even a few days ago!).