Chick with broken toe

[Melodychick]

My 3 week old chick showed up like this today. I honestly don’t know if this could have happened a couple of days before as I’ve been very busy. She is not limping, never has, and is scratching and roosting and playing with her sister. I was able to straighten the toe and she didn’t seem to mind, so I’m thinking I can wrap it and maybe straighten it. Any suggestions on how?

 

[Old Gardens]

Im not sure you can do much other than a splint and hope she doesnt peck at it...duct tape? Also im not a vet and im new at keeping birds so...

 

[Melodychick]

That’s what I was thinking. Maybe vet wrap, just not sure how or how long it would have to stay wrapped

 

[pekincochin12]

Maybe get a popsicle stick, cut it to a proper length, and then wrap it with the toe? You'd just have to make sure the chicks can't eat whatever you use.

 

[Eggcessive]

I think honestly that it is a crooked toe from birth, and it is probably too late for it to be fixed. She probably will get along just find with that little defect. If it was taped in the first few days of life it might have been straightened.

 

[Melodychick]

Thanks. She was hatched here by a broody that rejected her and the others at hatching. I was able to save these two and kept them inside for the first week and a half. I didn’t notice any bent toes at that time. They’ve been out in the big coop for the last week or two in fairly deep shavings, so I can’t see their feet so well. She seems fine, so I won’t worry.
ETA Found a pic taken just before moving out to the coop. Toe doesn’t look broken at this point

 

[Nelson-Collier]

That’s what I was thinking. Maybe vet wrap, just not sure how or how long it would have to stay wrapped

I don’t know much about doctoring chickens like this, but since she’s small, I’d suggest something small as well so it’s not cumbersome, like break the pointy ends off a toothpick or even wrap the ends in tape, and wrap the toe in tape. You’d have to change it every few days as chickens grow rather quickly... that’s just a suggestion, let’s see if any more experienced people give this the okay

 

[Nelson-Collier]

I think honestly that it is a crooked toe from birth, and it is probably too late for it to be fixed. She probably will get along just find with that little defect. If it was taped in the first few days of life it might have been straightened.

That would make sense....

 

[Silkies for life]

We had a chick like this a long time ago, except almost every one of her toes were crooked! She was really sweet and was higher up on the pecking order. I think your chick should be fine.