Baby chick with VERY broken leg!

[kstough]

Baby was born Sunday and something happened between birth and when we realized the first baby hatched that same afternoon. Baby was way far from the nesting box with mama on top of her. I scooped them both up quickly and put them back. After putting them back I realized I should have looked baby over better but at that point mom wouldn’t let me see under her again (pecking at me). So I just left them alone.

Today egg #2 hatched and mom is more calm and letting me look at babies. I picked up baby #1 and she has a severely broken leg! It’s almost severed from her body and the foot is black. Doesn’t appear I can save it if the tissue is dead.

Thoughts?? Baby is trying to get around but is hobbling and chirping a lot. Breaks this chicken mama’s heart!

 

[Cryss]

I can't offer advice, only a tiny bit of encouragement. I have read somewhere about an adult chicken that lost it's leg, survived, and was able to get around on one leg. Hopefully, IF this can't be saved, a little one can do the same.

 

[casportpony]

Oh no, I am so sorry. I think you have two options.

1. Euthanasia, which is what I would do.
2. Amputate and see if it can survive with one leg, but this could mean having to set it up in a brooder until it's older.

Whatever you decide I will support you.

 

[RhodeIslandRed5]

I think I would consider putting it to sleep. A one-legged chicken sounds kinda sad. You can try giving it some vitamin B to see if it helps any, if not......

 

[ShannonR]

I have to agree, amputate or cull.

My thoughts here are as follows: This chick is so young, it will likely adapt to one-leggedness very quickly and easily. At any rate, the chickie will never know it's missing anything as it grows... because one leg is all it has ever experienced!

You might be able to fashion it a fake leg.

You could always amputate first, and if that doesn't work out cull later.

 

[AmyJane725]

I'm with @ShannonR on this one.
Amputate that dead leg and let the little one give life a shot. It will probably figure out a way to get around pretty soon.
If too much time goes by and it's not able to get to food/water/shelter/etc. then cull it. No harm in giving it a chance though.

 

[ShannonR]

Ah, here it is!! I knew that at one point I had seen something of the sort:
https://www.foxnews.com/us/ruby-chicken-prosthetic-leg-oregon-eco-animal-sanctuary

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

The leg looks swollen and I suspect that if you give the chick back to the mother she will kill it because of the deformity. I would cull the chick in this situation.

 

[cluckmecoop7]

I'm so sorry! I think you should give the poor little one a chance. But if she/he is suffering, I would consider culling it. (killing)

But, I think it has a chance...

 

[ShannonR]

Update?