Chick w/injured leg.... Update

[Karrie13]

I have a California White chick that was hatched on 5-18-09 (at a hatchery) who is having a leg problem. Her left hock is swollen and she isn’t using her left leg at all!!!

She was fine then yesterday she was holding it up and her foot just kind of hangs there. She is using her wing for balance and is eating, drinking and pooping (looks normal) so her systems are all in working order. She just can’t walk! She does move around hopping on the one leg to be with her friends. She is in with three other chicks the same age/size as her. They are not picking on her or anything. Is there something I can do for her leg? I can’t tell if there is a fracture or anything her hock is just swollen.

Please help!!!

 

[Karrie13]

Could it be a slipped tendon? Does anyone have any pictures of a splint?

 

[Karrie13]

She is still holding her leg up and her foot is limp. She does hop around, eats, drinks, and poops normally.

But she is now shaking. When she is laying down, hopping, or I am holding her. Is she in pain? How can you tell if she is in pain? None of the other chicks she is with bother her. I don't want her to suffer.

 

[Karrie13]

I ended up creating a pipe cleaner shoe for her and a band-aid splint since her foot was curled and she was holding her leg out to the side. I hope that is right.

I put the shoe on her last night and since then she was using the leg more when walking and not hopping so much. Tonight I put the band- aid splint to hopefully get her leg in a more normal position.

The others are leaving her alone and she spends a lot more time laying down but she is still pooping (got it on my shirt so first hand experience on that one

) I have seen her drink but not eat so I can only assume she is eating. I did put some food in the corners of the brooder for her to snack on when she is laying if she wants too. She also seems to be growing a little more slowly than the other chicks her age but I am assuming it is due to her injury.

I would appreciate any suggestions anyone may have.

 

[Karrie13]

Now there are 17.

We culled her last night, nothing I did seemed to help. She was half the size of her sister (same age, same breed) and her leg had turned backwards. The other chick kept on stepping on it and hurting her. I felt it was best just to put her out of her misery.

All she did was lay down and sleep a lot. It was so sad seeing her try to walk and catch up to her sister, falling over half the time the other half peeping loudly (I am guessing pain). She was eating and drinking but I don't think it was enough.

Thank goodness my husband was there to do it for me. I am not sure if I could have. I have no problem hunting but I became very attached to her because of all the time spent with her.

 

[chickletranch]

Very sorry for your loss. You did the best you could.

Lynn