Angular limb deformity/twisted tibia? Nearly 6 week old chick

[Nekopan]

Ive posted before about this pullet chick I had to assist hatching. Right from the get go she’s had foot and leg issues. They seemed to be remedied by hobbles and tape shoes at first, but then she started to decline again. I was ready to euthanize but my partner got attached and wanted to give her more time.

She actually was getting around well enough for a while when we moved the chicks into an outdoor brooder, but in the last few days she seems to have gone downhill. She’s keeping separate from the rest of the chicks, I haven’t seen her getting picked on but I can’t rule it out. She stands mostly hunched with eyes closed.

Her left leg is fairly straight but has more curled toes. The right leg looks twisted above the hock, at the knee or possibly the hip and is crossed over to the other side of her body. She can stand unassisted but tends to use walls for support and flaps to get around.

Is there any sort of treatment or rehab I can do to have her live a pain free and low stress life, or is euthanasia kinder for her at this point?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

She stands mostly hunched with eyes closed.

Her left leg is fairly straight but has more curled toes. The right leg looks twisted above the hock, at the knee or possibly the hip and is crossed over to the other side of her body. She can stand unassisted but tends to use walls for support and flaps to get around.

Poor thing!
Can she eat/drink on her own?

Her toes are twisted and from your description I would say she's suffering from some type of leg bone deformity. Sometimes chicks can do well in spite of deformities, but if she is declining, then it may be kinder to put her out of her misery.

 

[danceswithronin]

> She stands mostly hunched with eyes closed.

To me this would seem to indicate pain. I'd euthanize if it was mine.

 

[Nekopan]

I was looking at pictures and videos of my chicks and it seems like she was doing well up until a few days ago. Today she seemed much perkier after I doted on her a little bit, with her own food and water. Now I’m wondering if she wasn’t getting enough to eat since all the rest are little piglets.

I was actually all set to euthanize (for the second time) but my vet seemed to be optimistic and think splinting/hobbles were worth another try. She is separated for the time being so I can pay close attention to how she’s doing.

 

[Nekopan]

Poor thing!
Can she eat/drink on her own?

Her toes are twisted and from your description I would say she's suffering from some type of leg bone deformity. Sometimes chicks can do well in spite of deformities, but if she is declining, then it may be kinder to put her out of her misery.

Yes, she can eat and drink on her own - I definitely wouldn’t have kept her if she couldn’t!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I was looking at pictures and videos of my chicks and it seems like she was doing well up until a few days ago. Today she seemed much perkier after I doted on her a little bit, with her own food and water. Now I’m wondering if she wasn’t getting enough to eat since all the rest are little piglets.

I was actually all set to euthanize (for the second time) but my vet seemed to be optimistic and think splinting/hobbles were worth another try. She is separated for the time being so I can pay close attention to how she’s doing.

Oh good! I'm glad you sought vet care. Let us know how it goes

 

[Nekopan]

She’s looking way better today - when I woke up she had a huge full crop and is managing to waddle around the brooder. I know her legs likely can’t be fixed but at this point I’m hopeful she can live a happy special chicken life