6 day old Bantam chick with unusual leg problem.

[vridley22]

HELP! This is the first time I have hatched chicks. When this little Bantam hatched it looked like its cord had wrapped around its leg and was attaching it to its tummy. It struggled to get it free and on closer inspection it looked like it had formed around the leg. We left it to dry out in the incubator hoping that it would dry out and would snap off or break itself. It did dry but we had to cut the cord ourselves freeing the leg. The leg however is now in a funny position pointing backwards. It does have full function but the chick finds it difficult to get it in the right position and flops about trying to push itself along and overcompensating with the other leg. I put it in a little box in the brooder with the others as they keep standing on it because it cant get out of the way quick enough. However it keeps chirping to be with them. Ive been letting it drink from a syringe and have put food in the little box with it. It seems strong in itself but its leg doesnt seem to be getting any better. When you hold it in your hand it will attempt to put weight on the leg when u put it under its body. Would a hobble help? Or can anyone suggest anything else apart from putting it to sleep. Hope u can help. Thanks

 

[khoe]

I would look in to splinting it.

 

[rookiefarmers]

I would hobble it. If it has function it will need to relearn to use it. The sooner the better. Vet wrap works awesome. Remember they grow FAST so check it often so it doesn't get to tight.

 

[vridley22]

Thanks I think I'll give it a go. It looks so helpless. Poor little thing.

 

[rookiefarmers]

We have a hen who slipped a tendon that would never go back in. She started to get a splayed leg. We hobbled it and she began to learn to use her bum leg as a crutch. She gets around pretty good and is a part of the group. Her best friend always keeps her company and has her back when the big girls go at her at all. I love how resilient that can be.

 

[nettifer]

HELP! This is the first time I have hatched chicks. When this little Bantam hatched it looked like its cord had wrapped around its leg and was attaching it to its tummy. It struggled to get it free and on closer inspection it looked like it had formed around the leg. We left it to dry out in the incubator hoping that it would dry out and would snap off or break itself. It did dry but we had to cut the cord ourselves freeing the leg. The leg however is now in a funny position pointing backwards. It does have full function but the chick finds it difficult to get it in the right position and flops about trying to push itself along and overcompensating with the other leg. I put it in a little box in the brooder with the others as they keep standing on it because it cant get out of the way quick enough. However it keeps chirping to be with them. Ive been letting it drink from a syringe and have put food in the little box with it. It seems strong in itself but its leg doesnt seem to be getting any better. When you hold it in your hand it will attempt to put weight on the leg when u put it under its body. Would a hobble help? Or can anyone suggest anything else apart from putting it to sleep. Hope u can help. Thanks

i have a polish bantam that is 10 days old it was born with curled toes and a bent leg

i splinted the toes they are now straight

tried splinting the leg and it wouldnt walk just sat and chirped constantly

so we left it, it gets around by hopping ! it isnt as active as the others but is eating etc