Chick with twisted leg?

[Serenity Lane]

I've got a 16 day old white leghorn chick with one messed up leg.. I noticed she was different a few days ago. She was normal before that and I have no idea what happened. They are in an extra large dog cage and, because of the way the bottom is, I put loose hay down first (light layer) with pine shavings on top. There is nothing slippery in there. Her one leg seems twisted to the outside and she kinda drags it. Looks maybe like a dislocated hip.. do chickens have hips? can they dislocate? (These are my first ever chickens and I know nothing besides what I learned reading online, mostly on BYC.) She has a very difficult time keeping her balance and she seems to go in circles when she walks. Not tiny circles, she can get around to the food and water, but she always goes in the same direction. At first I thought it was splayed legs so I braced her legs together with a bandaid. She was braced for 2 days. Every time I checked on her, she was fallen over. I made sure she got food and water every time I propped her back up but she stopped growing and seemed very stressed so I removed the brace.

I'm posting a picture. She's on the left and thats her right leg behind/above her. Next to her is one of her hatch mates, who she use to be the same size as. Does anyone have any ideas of what I should do?
I would consider bringing her to work to be euthanized (I work at an animal hospital) but she doesn't seem to be really suffering.. Yet. And bringing her to work to be treated is pretty much out of the question. Most of the vets there are not willing to look at any birds, let alone a chicken. If she or her quality of life were suffering, I'm sure I could talk somebody into euthanizing humanely.

Any ideas on how I can save her?

 

[AnimalsComeFirst]

I also have a chick with a twisted leg. I would suggest... if she doesn't seem to have any pain or too much trouble with it, leave her be. Some chickens, as they grow older, their disablitys may straighten out. My chick has gotten alot better from just walking around, stretching her leg and getting her balance. You may want to try moving and stretching out the leg every day, just to exercise the muscles and strenghten them.

If you feel she is in too much pain, bring her to be euthanized... some birds just cannot live a happy life when they are born that way, and some others can. If she is happy and enjoying life, eating well and staying healthy... just let her live out her life in the best way possible. Goodluck to you and your chicky!

 

[Serenity Lane]

Thanks! I'm afraid the other chicks will hurt her. They don't pick on her but they have no problem running her over if she gets in their way. Plus they're growing at a much faster rate than she is. I have silkie eggs in the incubator right now, due to hatch on 4/13.. If all goes well I could put her in with them when they're a week or so old.. They may be more her speed.
I will definitely let her live as long as she's getting around and eating/drinking, as long as she doesn't seem to be suffering. I'm going to take her out daily for some exercise without the other chicks around.. Maybe that'll help. I'm afraid to bend her leg too much, I don't want to hurt her, but I can try.
Thanks again!

 

[Serenity Lane]

How old is your chick with the twisted leg? Did she hatch that way or was she injured? It's good that she's getting better.. I think mine has gotten worse.

 

[AnimalsComeFirst]

She is 4 months old now and was hatched that way. Thats a good idea to put her in with the silkie chicks, just make sure she doesn't fall over on them

The only other thing I can think of is to give her things with calcium in them, like crushed oyster shells to strengthen her bones and make her a little more stable... hmm... vet RX possibly? I'm just thinking of supplements.

Any other questions you have feel free to ask I can't tell you how many chickens I've had with leg problems, though i'm not a vet, I do the best I can to let them live their lives.

 

[Serenity Lane]

Unfortunately today was her last day :-(
It got to the point where she couldn't get around. All of my other chicks that are the same age are 3 times her size. I know this was the best thing for her but its still sad.

Thanks for your support and encouragement.

 

[sidd kozhi]

I have a cock which is 6 months old . someone had twisted its left leg . he can't walk . it seems like his left leg is surrounded by a blood clot . he can stand with one leg for a minute with lot difficulty . suggest me a way to cure him.