chick with severe spraddle leg - UPDATE: my first cull :-(((

[technodoll]

One of the baby silkies that hatched two days ago has a bad case of spraddle leg - I only noticed this morning when I moved mama hen and the babies to their "condo" (was waiting for all the eggs to hatch).

I taped the legs together as per instructions found on BYC, however now baby silkie's legs stick out straight in front and the weight of the body rests on the tummy and rear.

Baby cannot move or walk and is hyperventilating.

It's like the hips won't bend in the right direction (backwards) or something??

Legs will not bend under the body.

Please help - does this baby need to be culled??

 

[BeccaOH]

Sounds like it may not survive.

I have helped straddled legs and curled toes with band aids in the past, but I just had one chick recently that could not keep its legs under it and hold its body up. I had to cull after a couple days of trying. The poor thing wore spots on its belly, knees, and toes trying to push itself around.

 

[Wynette]

I have read where someone had a chick like this; they taped the legs and then put the chick in a small water glass for a few hours on/few hours off every day. That forced it to stand upright, and helped strengthen the legs. Obviously you couldn't do it for longer than a few hours, because it needs to eat/drink.

 

[technodoll]

Poor baby, it keeps flipping on its back and can't right itself... it can't get to food or water without help.

I fear I may have to cull it tonight to avoid suffering...

I've tried 3 kinds of splints so far and none put the chick in a correct position at all. I think it's the hips

 

[technodoll]

It's not spraddle leg, it's a pelvic deformity... confirmed by an experienced breeder.

No hobbling or splinting can save this little one

I can't kill it, DH can't kill it - but we have to.

No cutting off the head, it's too bloody... how to end its life peacefully and without pain?

please help, we are both so grief-stricken

 

[patnjess]

i know we just found the quickest most humane, it will take hubby have him flick it in the back of the head hard. sounds awful but it works and its instant. sorry mama
you might not be strong enough but he will be. we have found this is the best way

 

[sgtmom52]

Do you have any engine starter fluid made from ether? You can use that to put the baby into a permanent sleep by putting the chick in a small container and spraying the starter fluid on a rag and sealing it inside.

I'm sorry you have to go through this.

 

[chickenzoo]

With baby chicks I take a paper towel and wrap around it's neck and head so i can't see it. I hold it over a trash can and using sharp scissors in one quick snip...... it's done and I just place it down... no blood. I've tried others and this works best for both of us......

 

[technodoll]

I just went through the most horrible experience of my life.

I had to put the chick first and me second.

Brought it outside, held its sweet little body in my hand, bade it farewell with a kiss and then snipped off its head with kitchen shears.

It was quick and, I hope, painless for my sweet little baby.

I sobbed so much I was sick to my stomach in the garden.

My very first life taken... I am wracked with grief and still can't breathe.

I'm not sure I'm strong enough for this chicken business

 

[Shannon's Chix]

So sorry...