I got some new chicks a few days ago and I just noticed one of them seems to have curled toes? Is there anything I can do to fix this? Will it be okay if I can't?
Chick with curled toes?
- Thread starter UnlabeledMama
- Start date
Yes, this is a fixable problem, caught earlier is better. I just 'fixed' this in one of our hatchlings under a broody. Chick took too long to get out of shell, and got stuck to the membrane.
Give the chick a little 'shoe' with either a piece of cardboard (shaped like a duck's foot) and some medical tape - or two band-aid's stuck sticky side to sticky side. Straighten the toes to where they should be and tape into that position. Each day, replace the tape or Band-Aid....be careful about skin problems when you take the tape off - their skin is quite delicate.
If you search on here for chicken shoes, there are some good posts on the emergency/disease forum too. Good luck! Our chick, because we caught it at hatch 'healed' in two days. Yours might take a little longer because it's a little older - maybe four days? But at this point, their bones are still forming, so yes, quite fixable!
Give the chick a little 'shoe' with either a piece of cardboard (shaped like a duck's foot) and some medical tape - or two band-aid's stuck sticky side to sticky side. Straighten the toes to where they should be and tape into that position. Each day, replace the tape or Band-Aid....be careful about skin problems when you take the tape off - their skin is quite delicate.
If you search on here for chicken shoes, there are some good posts on the emergency/disease forum too. Good luck! Our chick, because we caught it at hatch 'healed' in two days. Yours might take a little longer because it's a little older - maybe four days? But at this point, their bones are still forming, so yes, quite fixable!
When we made shoes for our chick we used the tape that will only stick to itself so it wouldn't her skin. I can't remember the exact name of the one we got, we got it at dollar general and it was a little thicker than the regular bandage wraps. It was surprisingly easy to straighten them out using this. The shoes did make it harder for her to walk, so make sure she has food and water nearby. Also, make sure the other chicks don't trample her.
- Thread starter
- #5
They are about 2 weeks old. I made little sandals for her - what a chore trying to attach them! They still curl a bit. I think maybe I will have to reattach the sandals and each time it will get a little better?
- Thread starter
- #6
Ugh. The sandals I made have already fallen off. I'm going to try pipe cleaner and surgical tape now.
- Nov 30, 2011
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Try 3M transpore tape. You can get it at the pharmacy or a big store like WalMart. It sticks well, breathes, and you can soak it off. Its also easy to tear in both directions, so you can make it fit.
Another option might be Vet-Wrap. They make it for humans, too, but I don't know what you call it. I think Ace makes some, and you can find it by the Acw wraps at the drug store. It will only stick to itself, and it is weirdly stretchy. The Shedd Aquarium in Chicago uses it for their penguins.
Another option might be Vet-Wrap. They make it for humans, too, but I don't know what you call it. I think Ace makes some, and you can find it by the Acw wraps at the drug store. It will only stick to itself, and it is weirdly stretchy. The Shedd Aquarium in Chicago uses it for their penguins.
I had a shrink wrap chick last hatch. Water in the incubator ran out quickly and it was stuck in the shell for a long time. I misted the shell and it got out but had curled up toes and was falling over/ couldn't walk well. I left it in the incubator for a 2 days with some food and water. It was not getting better and I thought I would loose it. I think the grate in the incubator was not helping so I just put it in the brooder with the others with pine chips on the floor. 2-3 days later it was fine and now I could not tell you what chick it is.
- Thread starter
- #9
The little one with it's toes splinted. We did it for 2 days and then checked. They looked better, but still curled. We made new splints and will check again in a day or two.
Are her toes continuing to improve?
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