5 day old chick, bad leg! HELP!

[aimeeinwv]

My chicks are 5 days old. I had not noticed until a few minutes ago that one of the chicks foot has turned in. Is that straddle leg? They have good bedding, nothing that would make her go straddle unless it just happens sometimes. Everyone is thriving including the chick with the bad foot. I just noticed what a hard time she is having walking, and is hopping on her good foot. She can't get around nearly at all now. It does't look broken, just turned. Do I have to put her down? If so.. how do you do that humanely?

 

[chookchick]

Chicks seem to be quite prone to leg problems. You don't have them on newspaper or other smooth surface, right? Here is a great site I found on chicken orthopedics, hopefully it will give you some ideas of how to splint/train her leg.
http://sites.google.com/a/larsencreek.com/chicken-orthopedics/leg-braces

If she is getting run over by the others, she'll need a safe corner, let us know how she is doing.

 

[aimeeinwv]

They are on pine shavings with newspaper - I should have already posted the pics. I did post them under "raising baby chicks" forum. The leg apparantly is not spraddled but is deformed. Poor baby! She eats and drinks great, the others don't really seem to notice it... yet. I'm afraid for her when they do. I do not want to cull her, I may raise her up and see if someone will take her as a pet. She is really sweet. But, I have a fairly large flock and the others I'm afraid will bother her when they are introduced. So... yeah, I'm thinking if she can make it, we'll work out something for her!

 

[aimeeinwv]

Quote:
That's newspaper underneath by the way.. shavings on top. Nice and small and even.