Chick walking on 1 hock don't know what to do, 1st time I have had chickens

[KatG]

There is a pic of another chick that someone posted in this forum that looks almost same as my chick on 12/25/2010, but there did not seem to be any answers as to what it was, how to help her. She is eating, drinking and hopping around she can move it just not stand on it. Her other leg is perfect. Can someone please let me know how I can help her, if there is anything I can do. My chick is a RIR and her leg does not go forward as the the other but sits under her more. I am new to this site and to chickens any help would be welcome.

 

[2greenboyz]

Hi KatG and welcome to BYC. Sorry you have to be going thru this. My only experience with something similar was with a hen that could not walk. In investigating that, I found there is a sleeve you can make to prevent scuffing on their hocks. So if she is crawling around esp on rough terrain, you might consider this. Other than that, I'm sorry I don't know what could cause her to be like this but maybe this will bump you up and someone else might come up with an idea for you. I am glad to hear she is eating and drinking. Is she still with her cage mates? You might consider separating her if she is until you know what it is. How old is she? And how long has she been like this?

 

[KatG]

She is only 2 days old. I picked them up yesterday and they are suppose to be 1 day old chicks. It would seem her hock is larger than the other and she has been like this since I took her out of her shipping box. She is still eating and drinking, is with her liter mates and they are not picking on her. I tried a bandage to hobble her but she just fell flat on her face and could not walk at all by doing that so I took it off so she could at least hop around and get food, water and in/out from under the heat lamp. When I try to gently straighten her leg out it seems to cause her pain but I have seen her try to put it down to walk on. The sore on her hock as seemed to heal overnight and turn into a callous, not sure if this is good or not.

 

[2greenboyz]

I'm gonna take a wild guess at it being a slipped tendon. Maybe someone else can chime in here. Is her leg swollen at all? Toes curled? You can do a search on here to read up on it and see if that seems to fit.

 

[KatG]

Toes are curled to the inside, she wants to use it but seems that straightening it out is painful so he holds it up.

 

[baye50]

Just found your post. I'm new to the forum. I have a baby Orpington with the exact same symptoms that you described. What was your outcome? Were you ever able to help the chick? If so, what seemed to work? Thanks!

 

[KatG]

Sorry took so long to respond. We had to put her down, she could not walk. Tried taping legs together, think only thing may have done different is splint it, even than not sure if would of helped

 

[baye50]

Had to put my little one down also...