Chick with limp

[5 Points Wingfeather]

I have a chick less than a week old who has a limp. He’s one of 6 that a broody raised. They are in a coop/run with other chickens. They all seem to be doing well but one has has had a limp for 24 hours. It’s not terrible—he keeps up with mom and eats and drinks. But it’s not nothing either.

Do I need to do anything or will it probably just get better on its own as long as he is able to keep up with mom?

 

[Lady of McCamley]

Without seeing a photo or better video, and being long distance, I'm only guessing...but here's my thoughts.

Broody raised...do you have them on medicated chick feed? I've had broody raised babes get vitamin B deficient on medicated feed as mom naturally introduces them to the coccidia in the soil with her own feces and immediate scratching. The solution, if that is the case, is to put the chick on vitamins like Chick Saver for about a week.

The other thought is that it has some hock problems. They have a tendon that can slip in the hock. They can outgrow the problem, or it simply becomes worse in time. You might be able to splint it to help. (Others more well versed on splinting hocks will hopefully chip in). I had to cull a turkey chick once because of slipped hock. It just got worse and worse as it gained weight and size.

Those are my two thoughts.

LofMc