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Chick deformity...will it correct it self or not?

Discussion in 'Incubating & Hatching Eggs' started by Game Girl, Apr 7, 2012.

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  1. Apr 7, 2012 #1
    Game Girl

    Game Girl New Egg

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    Mar 20, 2012
    I recently had several of the eggs in my incubator hatch with so far what seem to be healthy baby chicks. After several hours of no movement from others eggs, we turned the incubator off. An hour later I went to throw the unhatched eggs away and notice one of the chicks is beginning to pip through its egg. Since the humidity and temp were way down, we helped it out of the shell very carefully. After a few hours I began to notice this chick doesn't look like the rest. its legs don't work right, it cant stand up and it seems like one leg is stuck out to the side and also as if the toes don't work. It eats and drinks and has bowel movements so I as caught in the dilemma of seeing how bad this chick fought to live and can't bring myself to put it with the others due to fact that they Will trample it since it is so far behind. I have been giving all of them medicated chick starter and vitamins in water. Is there anything I can do to make this chick better? or is it doomed to be like this forever?
     
  3. Apr 8, 2012 #2
    tia

    tia Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Apr 19, 2009
    Valdez, Alaska
    If it is splay leg ( think that is what it is called.) You can tie a string around one leg leave enough string between the two legs just so chick can stand up and walk, then tie the other end to the other leg. I did this and left it on for about 7 days and was able to take the string off and the chick was fine. If the foot is deformed it might be a whole different story. Maybe someone more experienced than me can help you. I have heard people talk about putting support below the foot to straighten it out, but I have never done it and don't know what the circumstances have to be before it works. You may go under emergency and injuries too - you may be able to get more help there. Good luck - if it is eating and drinking that is a good sign.
     

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