8 week old chick issue

[modestmaiden62]

Hi
I have 5 Lavender Orpington chicks which are around 8 weeks old. They are feathering out and definitely in the awkward stage. We put them in the new chicken coop, but still have them shut in with air vents on both sides of the coop and the door open with chicken wire on it to keep them in and safe from things getting in. I went out yesterday and the largest one which we think is the Roo was laying down. He looked stressed by how he was breathing with his mouth open. When he got up and put weight on his left leg he would fall and roll over and struggle to get up and sometimes do it repeatedly (very hard to watch). I did have their food up higher so they wouldn't make a mess in it so I don't know if he was up in it like I've seen them do, and got his foot stuck and twisted it or what happened. I moved their food down on the ground now so hopefully it won't happen again if that was the case. What do you think I should do. He loves to be with the other chicks, but should I get him out? I think he will run from me if I try to catch him or try to any way.
Thanks for any help.

 

[Snappychicken14]

Hi!


The roo could be sick, so I would try to take him out of the coop. He couldve just injured his leg like you said, but then he probably wouldnt try to get up so often. He could have some hatchery disease if they came from a hatchery, or have mareks disease if they werent vaccinated. I would take him away from your hens and call the vet.

Good luck!

 

[modestmaiden62]

The next morning it was up walking around. Praise the Lord!!!!