Baby chick may have a possibly hip problem?

[Kathers60]

Our chicks hatched on June 27th and unfortunately we only got 3 chicks out of a dozen. Our second hatching has possibly a deformity in it's hip. The chick wouldn't stand up after it hatched so my husband and I suspected it was a splayed leg the following day and we band-aid her legs together. We had taken it off after about a week to observe her, and she has gotten so much better. However her right leg sticks out to the right, while her good leg remains underneath her body. The chick stands up and gets around really good, and runs very fast to get away from me. But she also limps. The chick always eats and drinks, so it doesn't appear to be in any pain. I was wondering since it's still young and only hatched on the 27th of June if there was something we could do? We decided to keep the chick because of the deformity and let the chick roam around outside. We named the chick LEGO. Here are a few pictures. As you can see in the first picture her right leg sticks out. Kathy

 

[scots dumpy]

Hi from New York and all that I can say is give it some time and if it doesn't stop limping then it might have to go.

 

[Eggcessive]

Here is a page to look at about treatment for a possible slipped achilles tendon: https://sites.google.com/a/poultrypedia.com/poultrypedia/poultry-podiatry I'm not sure this is what you are dealing with, but thought you might have a look.

 

[Kathers60]

Thank you, Eggcessive, for the link. My husband examined the chick again and it doesn't appear to be a tendon problem but a hip deformity in the way the chick aligns up. The chick gets around good and doesn't appear to be in any pain or distress. We let him run and hop around in the living room on a towel. I'm on the floor with him and he always comes to me and pecks me. He appears to be an energetic chick. I hope he physically gets better. Time will tell.... Kathy

 

[Eggcessive]

Let us know how he progresses. It's great he has a good home with you.

 

[Kathers60]

I'll keep all of you updated on how he/or she progresses. Thank you!

 

[Kathers60]

Quote:
Yesterday hubby had to put Lego to sleep using the Vinegar/Baking Soda method. He was getting much worse as he put on weight. The heavier body weight was too heavy for his bad leg, and his good leg as well. He got to the point of resting most of the time and walking in circles to get to food and water. Plus he was frustrated not being able to go forward. He was only about 6 weeks old and he would have gotten worse as he continued to put on weight. He couldn't scratch or climb but spent most of his time resting and whining. We hoped the problem wouldn't get worse and he can be our pet, but he had no quality of life and he was miserable. Out of 2 dozen and 2 breedings we only got 2 healthy Black Copper Marans. We will keep the Marans because it's very hard to breed.

 

[Eggcessive]

Sorry for your loss. It sounds like you really gave him a chance. I have hatched black copper Marans, and my friend , a breeder has told me they are very hard to hatch if they are pure. I only hatched 3 out of 18 local eggs, and he said that is about what he gets. Broodies seem to do better though than an incubator.

 

[Kathers60]

Sorry for your loss.  It sounds like you really gave him a chance.  I have hatched black copper Marans, and my friend , a breeder has told me they are very hard to hatch if they are pure.  I only hatched 3 out of 18 local eggs, and he said that is about what he gets.  Broodies seem to do better though than an incubator.

We believe one Maran out of our two is a rooster. We will have to get him a few Maran hens and forget using the incubator. Marans are the only breed we have trouble with. My husband is going to the swap meet on the 10th at Tractor Supply here in Florida. They have a Chicken swap meet. Maybe he will meet someone locally who can set us up to a few Maran hens.

 

[Eggcessive]

If you read the several Marans threads here on BYC--just start at thr last post and work backwards you may find a good breeder in your area. You can always post yourself saying you are looking. Be careful about getting birds from swap meets--many are safe, but their are many people who sell sick birds. The good breeders will be talked about on the threads. People who show usually have healthy birds.