Baby Chick cant walk!

[Nikks Fox]

Last night i found a chick in my garden, he was chirping loudly for his mother and when i approached him he didn't try to walk away and couldn't move his legs at all and was just waddling on the ground, he was away from his nest so he must've been able to walk at least to were i found him but when i brought him back to his mother his mother pecked him a few times then just walked away and left him, taking the other healthy chicks with her... I brought the lil chick inside and put him a brooder, he manages to eat and drink but only if I hand feed him, I've researched a bit and found alot on him maybe having straddle leg but when i tried to correct his legs he didn't do much but flop forward, i thought that he wouldve at least tried to stand upright, i really dont want to have to cull this baby, what do i do?

 

[Pyxis]

Are his legs splaying out to the sides? If so, it is splay leg, and you do want to correct it like you were doing. They can't often get around well when they have the brace on their legs, but in a couple days it should have improved and you can take the brace off and it will be good as new.

A picture would help if you can post one.

 

[Kiki]

Maybe the mom was leaving him out there on purpose?

X2 on pictures.

 

[coach723]

X3 on pictures. If it's splayed leg you should treat asap, the longer you wait the less effective correction will be. It can take several days to a week to see some improvement. Here is a very good article, lots of info, on treating it, along with info on flooring (no slick flooring) , feeding, watering (they can drown in water dishes) and physical therapy. https://sites.google.com/a/poultrypedia.com/poultrypedia/poultry-podiatry

 

[Nikks Fox]

His legs arent splaying out, which concerns me cause he literally just sits there, it seems as if he doesnt have enough strength in his legs to actually stand, his eyes are closed quite often as well but he can open them

 

[coach723]

Can it hold it's head up at all? It's possible that there is more going on, and why the hen abandoned it. You can try to save it, here is a link to some good info that might be helpful: https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...-chicks-to-survive-hope-it-is-helpful.367608/
It is hard to say if it's just a weak chick or if there is more going on that isn't visible. How much time and effort you are willing to put in is a personal decision. Sometimes they just need a little encouragement to want to live. I have nursed weak chicks back to health and had them go on to live normal lives. I've also nursed weak chicks that had problems that were not obvious and they either don't make it or may be lost down the road a bit. I usually try to save them, but again, personal decision. You will need to keep it warm enough, and hydrated and hopefully it will gain enough strength to start eating and drinking on it's own. I have used the neckerchief,bandana technique in the post above, and had it work to help bring them around. I use electrolites (sav-a-chick) in the water and give every 20 minutes or so, just drip it on the end of the beak, or dip the tip of the beak in a little and let it swallow, as much as it will take each time. Initially hydration is more important than eating. With nothing else to go on, this is where I would start.

 

[Nikks Fox]

No, he cant hold his head up at all, I think Ill try the bandana technique and see if i can get sav-a-chick, I really hope he'll make it.. thank you so much for the good advice! I really appreciate it

 

[coach723]

Best of luck! When they are this small it's hard to know for sure what's going on, all you can do is try. Hope it makes it! Sav-a-chick is available at Tractor Supply and many feed stores. It comes in packets, set of 3, each packet will make 1 gallon of electrolite water.

 

[coach723]

Just wanted to check and see how your chick is doing?

 

[Stayc]

Hope the chick is doing better