Chick can't walk... fixable? Or do we need to help it pass?

[heebygeebies]

I put it down. The last time I tried to give it water it started acting like it was drownding. It was drinking better yesterday I could tell it was suffering and getting worse. I just finished putting it down after I saw that. I feel better knowing it is not suffering.

You made the right decision. The leg would probably never have worked and he would have starved or drowned at some point. It is very sad and terrible to deal with. Wish it wasnt a part of hatching, wish they could all just be healthy.

I know it is very hard to have to make this decision but you did the right thing. big hugs to you.

 

[MommaBee]

Thank you! It's nice to know others do it too and that sometimes it just has to be done.

 

[MommaBee]

Ok, does it seem deformed? or just stiff from being in the shell so long.  Play with the healthy chick's legs and study how they work. Then come back to this guy and try to give us some more information as far as how his leg is different.

Sometimes rather than trying fixing it, if you leave them be, they will eventually figure out how to walk by watching the other chicks.  I've had a couple chicks with weird legs that figured it out, but none exactly like this one. 

If he can get to the food and water, he'll be fine.   I once had a chick hatch with only one leg hatch.  I made it a "peg", and it was walking around by it's self and eating and drinking within 3 days. 

If he doesn't make any progress after 3 days, then we may have to consider letting him go. 

Sorry Coch! Just saw this. It was not even moving. I was telling Sally that I could lay it on its back and it couldn't or should I say wouldn't even try to roll over. It was a shame. Lots of work went into saving it. But at the end of the day I feel better knowing its not in pain.

 

[cochins1088]

Sorry Coch! Just saw this. It was not even moving. I was telling Sally that I could lay it on its back and it couldn't or should I say wouldn't even try to roll over. It was a shame. Lots of work went into saving it. But at the end of the day I feel better knowing its not in pain.

I understand completely. If he was that weak, then he wouldn't have made it anyways. The problem wasn't just his leg, but rather something internally. You made the right choice.