Baby Chick Can't Stand Please Help

[lilichickens]

Please help. One of my baby chicks hatched 3 days ago and it's legs are all splayed out to the side. I am not sure what to do. It have been eating and drinking but can't stand, it drags itself along the bottom of the box on it's belly. It is heart breaking. If you have any advise it would be appreciated. I have not had this happen to any other of our chicks out of 3 batches now. Thank you in advance.

 

[gander007]

See if she will eat some hard boiled egg !!!!!!!!

What are you feeding her ????

Did you put anything in the water ?????

 

[Mister B]

I had this happen. You can take a bandaid and use it to hold the legs together. Use the gauze that usually goes over the cut as a spacer. Set him up on his legs. It will be a little awkward for a while, but he may make it. Leave the bandaid on until it falls off, about 4-5 days. I had one just a few weeks ago do the same thing. She is up running with the others now. I call her PT because she had to go to physical therapy, ha.

 

[lilichickens]

I am feeding them all chick starter. I haven't put anything in the water. I thought about feed them some hard boiled eggs. I will try it thank you.

I put a piece of coban (which is what the Dr's used to wrap my finger when I jammed it) it sticks to itself with out added adhesive. It's legs are pulled under him/her now but he/she needs to learn to balance itself on it's legs. So I am hoping it corrects the problem. The chick eats and drinks fine just can't stand up right yet.

 

[3riverschick]

Hi and

,
Mister B is right. It's called spraddle leg. You caught
it early and it will correct itself if you follow his instructions.
This can happen when you have the chicks brooding
on a slippery surface like flat newspaper. For the next
several days it will help if you surface the brooder with
that waffle weave drawer liner they sell at Dollar General.
The heavier grade doesn't tend to bunch up when the
chicks walk on it. I change it every 4 days or so. Then
when the chick has it's feet back under it, use hardwood
shavings from Tractor Supply. The ones in the white bale
( hardwood, smell like fresh sawdust) not the ones in the
yellow bale ( softwood, smell like tupentine).
Best,
Karen in western PA

 

[Mister B]

Yep, that stuff will work fine too. I used a bandaid because that's what I had access to. Good job! Keep us informed on how it goes.

 

[lilichickens]

Well it is still slow going. I have the chicks in a box together and it is lined with wood shavings so it isn't slippery. The coban that I have been using seems to be working to a point. If he/she could just get it's balance better and hold itself up I don't think I would be so worried. Thank you all for your advice.