Chick toenail!

[kadp23]

My first post Couldn't be a happy one?!
I feel like crap and I don't know what to do. I am a bad chicken mom.
Here's the story: We have Sue, a favorelles, that is three weeks old. I have been cleaning her feet from poo since we got her. She had this huge dried lump that I couldn't get off. So I thought putting her outside to scratch around would break it off. It didn't and I checked today and it was still stuck tight. So I tried a baby wipe with no luck. Then under the water until it started to release. I think it pulled off her toenail. It's a bit bloody and she'l limping.
What do I do now?! What should I have done?

BTW, my name is Karen and this is my fourth group of chicks. Never had this happen before.

 

[Granny Hatchet]

i was doing the same thing a couple days ago. i ended up getting a cup of warm water and while holding the baby i let its feet soak until it slid off. just try to keep it clean. i would recommend antibiotic ointment ( no pain relieving kinds) its toxic but wonder if that would just make more stuff stick to it.

 

[kadp23]

I am trying to keep it clean, but that's not easy!

 

[Granny Hatchet]

i was thinking a soak of epsom salt warm water once a day for about 5 min. should keep the infection out. if it does start to look infected i guess yo will have to make it a gauze shoe.

 

[kadp23]

She actually seems better this morning and is not limping. I still feel guilty about maiming a chicken though.
I was thinking about epsom salts but I wasn't sure they would be safe for a chicken. I will soak her today.

 

[Granny Hatchet]

maybe it will grow back

if not, then thats just one less toenail to cut. hahaha. i tell my mother that all the time. she had a toe amputated. look on the bright side. nothing you can do now, lesson learned right? i dont know what kept me from doing it when i first started. i am glad she is better

 

[Granny Hatchet]

oh, just dont let her drink it.