Chick hatched late and cant walk

[sunnydt]

My chick hatched a day late and cant stand up or walk. He just lays on his side and sometimes will kick a little. His toes are a little bit curled and when I stand him up he puts his head down and his toes wont go flat. Should I put him down or keep trying? I really cant decide.

 

[Avonshire]

OK welll I had a pretty bad hatch and it was my first but let me tell you I had two chicks hatch. The first hatched on its own and has curled toes but is able to get around. He can get to food and water and I am trying to fix his curled toes. My second one was like you are describing. It just laid on its back and flailed around. It did manage to get up and move around sometimes but it seemed pretty miserable. I have seen others make braces for their chick's legs and help the chick out. My chick just seemed so sick and I did have to help it out of its shell so I decided to put it out of its misery. What it the right decision? Did I give up too early? I just don't know and it was NOT an easy decision. In fact I hope I am never faced with that decision again! lol! GL to you--I mean if you don't mind you can give it some more time and try to make some braces for its leg/s. I was not up to two special needs chicks so I picked the stronger of the two to rehabilitate! This thread might help you https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/662801/new-chick-cannot-stand-up#post_8958939

 

[sunnydt]

I have cut a bandaide for their legs in the past and that has worked. This one is not really that weak anymore and seems to be trying to stand so yeah I am going to wait and see what happens. Hopefully the little one will improve soon. I just really hate it when that happens.

 

[sunnydt]

UPDATE: the little guy is doing great! I had him separated because all the other chicks were picking on him. So as soon as he was able to stand a bit better, I put him back in with the others and wow it is interesting how just not being alone and being with the other chicks has encouraged him to want to walk more and he is now walking a few steps at a time. Its amazing how chicks can look sooo bad and then almost come back to life.

 

[SpiritedFarm]

Oh that's great news, hopefully soon you won't be able to tell him from the others!

 

[sunnydt]

Yes Im almost sure of it. Thank you.

 

[AA chickens]

tie string around there legs it helps

 

[sunnydt]

yes I usually use a cut bandaide and it fits so perfectly. works pretty good.

 

[marneypoo]

If his toes are curled you need to sandwich them between two pieces of tape. Place toes in the correct way and press down between the toes so the tape holds them in place. Trim around them to form little booties. Leave on for a couple of days. To remove, if they don't fall off on there own after they get dirty. Rub with a little oil.

 

[sunnydt]

Thanks for the info. I will do this next time if I have a baby with curled up toes. This time he had curled toes but as soon as he started to stand on his own, his feet went flat. He is still doing much better and just starting to peck a little at his food.