Chick walking on hocks!

[LyshaeK]

Bit of a long story but I have never hatched my own chicks until this year. I have ameraucana chickens. Well i had a lot going on this last month with moving and things so I would feed my chickens and get busy. I neglected to gather eggs and one one of my hens went broody and was sitting on 15 eggs! I know I didn't collect eggs for 2 1/2 weeks. Well I picked 12 of them and put in a nest and moved her. I left the other eggs alone for 4 days and went back to get rid of the remaining eggs. When I picked one up it started pipping at me! So I took it to her and it hatched the next day. 6 other eggs hatched with no issues but the one I brought down after 4 days would waddle/crawl with one foot out to the side. I know it's because of improper temp regulation and I feel so guilty
I've tried to find answers in other posts in other places but can't get anyone to respond. I hobbled her legs to keep the one from sticking out to her side but now she just crawls using her hocks. I've separated her and she eats and drinks fine. I have vitamins and electrolytes In her water because she was really weak the first day. I just don't know what to do to help her walk right! I'm stretching her legs daily and even put her in a handmade "harness/sling" for a little while each day to support her weight and try to stretch her legs. She will not fully extend them. What can I do to help her!?

 

[FoodFreedomNow]

Don't beat yourself up - everyone makes mistakes.

Does the supplement you're providing have riboflavin in it? A deficiency in vitamin B2 can manifest as walking on hocks - this thread has more info about treatment. And have you already ruled out slipped tendons? The hock joints don't look swollen from what I can see in the photos, but the "feel" test should be done. How old is the chick now?

It's clear that you care about your poultry. Best wishes for your chick's recovery.

 

[LyshaeK]

Don't beat yourself up - everyone makes mistakes.

Does the supplement you're providing have riboflavin in it? A deficiency in vitamin B2 can manifest as walking on hocks - this thread has more info about treatment. And have you already ruled out slipped tendons? The hock joints don't look swollen from what I can see in the photos, but the "feel" test should be done. How old is the chick now?

It's clear that you care about your poultry. Best wishes for your chick's recovery.

It does have riboflavin! I just gave the electrolyte mix yesterday. Previous to that I mixed in a b complex vitamin that I had on hand in my medicine cabinet. I have felt on the hocks and I don't feel anything move. Everything feels like it's in place. I am at work now and will check again when I get home. But there is no swelling and nothing seems out of place. Her legs just seem weak. She sits on her butt and crawls with her hocks now

 

[Wyorp Rock]

How is this chick doing?
How old is she?

 

[LyshaeK]

She is lively today and being more mobile, but walking with both feet tucked up and straight up on her hocks when walking. She hatched on Monday.
I did more therapy with her this evening which seemed to cause her discomfort she is very tired now and chirping nonstop. I think she may have slipped tendons. Though there is no swelling anywhere. I've never dealt with anything like this in all the years I've had chickens so I'm not 100% if they are or not but based on how her legs are and having B vitamins and riboflavin in her system for the last 4 days, with no real change in the operation of her legs. I can't see what else could be the problem. The tendons are so tight though that they don't roll.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

She is lively today and being more mobile, but walking with both feet tucked up and straight up on her hocks when walking. She hatched on Monday.
I did more therapy with her this evening which seemed to cause her discomfort she is very tired now and chirping nonstop. I think she may have slipped tendons. Though there is no swelling anywhere. I've never dealt with anything like this in all the years I've had chickens so I'm not 100% if they are or not but based on how her legs are and having B vitamins and riboflavin in her system for the last 4 days, with no real change in the operation of her legs. I can't see what else could be the problem. The tendons are so tight though that they don't roll.

So she's still hock walking?
Last ditch effort would be to place her in chick chair to see if she can learn to strengthen the legs and push up.
Unfortunately, I have never been able to correct leg issues similar to this and now I just cull.

 

[LyshaeK]

So she's still hock walking?
Last ditch effort would be to place her in chick chair to see if she can learn to strengthen the legs and push up.
Unfortunately, I have never been able to correct leg issues similar to this and now I just cull.

I tried everything I could come up with and no change. Everything seemed to completely wear her out and cause more discomfort. With a very heavy heart, I decided it would be the most humane thing to cull her. I gave her a good final day and she is now buried in our little pet cemetery on the edge of our property

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I tried everything I could come up with and no change. Everything seemed to completely wear her out and cause more discomfort. With a very heavy heart, I decided it would be the most humane thing to cull her. I gave her a good final day and she is now buried in our little pet cemetery on the edge of our property

I'm sorry.