Chick with strange leg issue? Help please!

[erijn5]

More Orthopedics Help

There are several schools of thought and ways of approaching this problem, D. C. Townsend has written a very informative article that you can read for more information go to:- ORTHOPEDICS FOR POULTRY MADE EASY FOR BEGINNERS

This is a "chair" DCT designed to prevent the Achilles tendon from slipping out back out of joint.



The unseen inner part of this "chair is a plastic
Pepto Bizmal bottle with bottle neck sawed off with hack saw
and one side of the triangular bottle removed. Two leg holes
and a hole for manure to fall through were cut with razor
blade. This part was lined with material from one of those
slip on insulators for soda pop cans or beer cans. If you
do not have one of those sponge can be used for padding.



This was on the site from above, maybe I'm clueless but it doesn't say how long to keep it in there and am I suppose to pop the tendon back in place before I put it in there or will it just set itself?

Should I just try the pipe cleaner method first and see if that works? Oh my goodness this is so hard to decide??????

 

[erijn5]

Well I tried the whole pipe cleaner trick, and I'm pretty sure that it is not going to work. Today the joint is all swollen up and the chick is holding the foot straight up in the air. I think maybe it is broken or something and I imagine the only way to fix it will be to rebreak it....and that it not going to happen...

What I wouldn't do to have an animal clinic around here like on Animal Planet...they take everything! And can fix just about anything!! But around me all I have is horse, dog, cat vets..

I think I will wait till DH gets home and get a second opinion on the cull option. It would be last option don't get me wrong

but I'm going to put the interest of the chicky's life first.... If that is what we decide I'm going to be very upset!

 

[jenni2142]

The easiest way is to gently straighten the leg behind the chick, like if you stand up and point your toe behind you. it is hard to straighten the leg in the normal position but when you move the leg back the tendon will pop right into the proper position. Don't force it, it should move easily. I know this is hard to understand and I am sorry I can't find the site with the illustration but I did this myself and it was much easier than trying to pinch to the center. The tendon fits in a little groove at the back of the joint and if that groove is fully formed then you may not need the chair, the tendon may stay in on its own. Time in the chair varies depending on how well formed the groove is and how much, if any, the hock joint if inflamed/damaged. The pipe cleaner is used to keep it from popping out once you get it back in. You can brace the individual leg or use it like the bandaid to brace together. will be back soon and see if you have any more questions.

 

[jenni2142]

if it would help you I can use one of my chicks and take a picture. I had to make a chick chair for my chick with both tendons out and was able to finally fix the tendons but her little bones twisted and at that point she was done fighting and I had to put her down, so I understand how hard this is.

 

[erijn5]

Quote:
I don't know if it is broken or a tendon problem...

let me take a couple of pics for you with it laying on it's back so you can see just how curved it is. Is that okay?

 

[jenni2142]

yep, I am right here and will help all I can.

 

[erijn5]

Quote:
uploading right now, i wish you lived closer so I could just bring him to you!!

So inexperienced with injuries...I'm glad you are on here!!

 

[jenni2142]

Just realized it is a Jersey Giant, Hubby wants some, but larger chick should improve chances of recovery. My Lucy was a sebright, very tiny.

 

[erijn5]

Good luck, let me know if you need more!!!

 

[jenni2142]

Honestly it just looks like that tendon is slipped. it pulls the leg tightly into the bent position. If you can try to put it back you should be able to see if it is fixable. The leg pulled back like I described is like when they stretch themselves, I hold onto the upper part of the leg and guide it back and then gently straighten. I can take a pic of me holding the leg in that position if you need, my chicks are already upset cause I moved them so pics are easy.