Chick born with no feet and potentially blind

[new_chicken_parent]

What should I do with this little guy?

It’s cheeping and moving around, just doesn’t have any feet.

 

[Debbie292d]

This is the first time I've ever heard of a chick hatching without feet. I'd double-check, as they could be stuck or curled. I'd just leave him in the incubator until he's fluffed up and evaluate then.

 

[CHlCKEN]

You sure he has no feet? Just looks kind of bent to me.

 

[theoldchick]

This will be a special needs chicken that will need a bit of extra care throughout its life. I've seen feetless chickens wearing special shoes to help them get around. It may learn to bobble about on nubs but if it is blind the best thing to do is end its life.

 

[CHlCKEN]

if it is blind the best thing to do is end its life.

I disagree. Plenty of animals don’t even have a sense of sight (of course I know they’ve evolved that way due to a lack of need, but my point stands in defense of other senses). It will adapt just fine without it, though it may do better as someone’s pet.

 

[Egg Snatcher]

What should I do with this little guy?

It’s cheeping and moving around, just doesn’t have any feet.

It looks as though the toes are either curled up or it has deformed toes. I have a rooster without any feet due to frostbite. He has learned to walk on his nubs without special shoes. Of the chick indeed had no feet I’d see it it will learn to stand and walk on its own.

 

[Squawkers]

I disagree. Plenty of animals don’t even have a sense of sight (of course I know they’ve evolved that way due to a lack of need, but my point stands in defense of other senses). It will adapt just fine without it, though it may do better as someone’s pet.

I agree that the chick could live a happy life, but caring for a blind (I’ve done it) and lame chicken would take a lot of time. It is best for the chick to be put down (or rehomed as you said) if the owner can’t commit the necessary time to properly care for it.

 

[WhiskeyTheRedd]

DONT KILL IT*** thats the biggest thing i think is SOOO cruel to do when the chicken CAN live a happy life. He or she will be special needs and will need a dedicated family to raise them. If thats not you, start looking for the good of the bird NOW.

 

[FrostRanger]

I agree before we start discussing what to do with the chick, we should wait until its dry and then see if it's indeed blind and footless and then observe how it's getting on. From there it's up to you, if you have the ability and desire to take care of a special needs animal, and the bird isn't too bad off you can give it a go. If not or the bird is too bad off then you may have to cull. No shame in whatever you decide, not everyone is willing or able to take care of a special needs animal but again, wait a bit so you'll have a better idea of what's going on

 

[nuthatched]

Unfortunately, exterior malformation is often indicator of internal ones.