5 week old chick can not walk, Please Help!

[cluckcluck42]

Quote:
I'm really sorry for your loss. Any ideas what may cause this, or is it just a genetic hiccup?

My thoughts are with you both.

 

[Carol.in.WV]

I have a bantam Cochin pullet who almost didn't make it. When she was a few weeks old I found her one morning apparently crippled and unable to walk. I think now that she got in the bottom of a pile up and overheated possibly causing nerve damage. I splinted her legs and tried dozens of things including vitamins, yogurt etc. I kept her in a tiny box with me at all times or in my pocket if I went outside. She even slept with me so I could feed and give her water with a dropper, (later she could wiggle out of the box and into my hair). The upshot is that it took somewhere around a month or 6 weeks but by summer she was out running around like a regular chicken. Now she is back in the house in a basket in a rubbermaid tub sitting on the third batch of eggs and acting like a Queen while I again feed her yogurt and mash because she won't voluntarily get off the eggs (the first 2 clutches did not hatch).

Don't give up! At this point I can't remember or don't know what if anything I did except give her lots of love that made her well, but I do know it was a long time and I wasn't able to interact with the other 30 or 40 chicks as much as I wanted.

It sounds like you are on the right track.

 

[sekinkead]

Wow, thanks for that post. She seems ok other than not being able to walk. And you are right she may have gotten into the bottom of a pile up. I am thinking about making a sling for her to sit in so I can splint her legs. She is very sweet and will eat and drink as long as they are in front of her. She doesn't really mind being handled for a short period of time. She can move her legs she just can't seem to get them under her and walk. Well, she is comfortable and spoiled right now so I will see what happens. If she starts to go downhill or acts like she is in pain then I will do what I know has to be done.

 

[EggSpudition]

She is hanging in there so don't give up hope until you have to.

I love to hear stories giving encouragement. It helps balance out all the worry. She is lucky to have such a good Momma Hen.

For you and your perseverence.

 

[chicmom]

You are doing a great job with her! I am thinking that maybe she had a stroke? There could just be so many things wrong....a spinal injury? Sometimes you just never find out.

Keep us posted and good luck to you and your little chick!

Sharon

 

[sekinkead]

Thank you all for your encouraging words, it helps to know that there are people out there who don't think I am crazy

Of course my kids, 10 & 12, are just as crazy as I am.