Hi all So I have this australorp chick Im really worried about, we noticed she had a leg turned fully backwards and because of this assumed she had spraddle leg however the Vet we took her too yesterday says otherwise. She is about 3 weeks old and the size of a 1 week old chick. The vet basically said to us we should put her down however because we really want to keep her going were going to keep trying. She still eats well but is pretty immobile at the moment sort of moving in a circle on the cage floor. Does anyone have any suggestions or has treated this before ? we hafto keep feeding her by hand most of the time but she does eat and drink. Any advice would be appreciated ! Cheers,
So sorry about the little one... I have no good advice, a chicken that cannot get around on its own is not one IMHO that can survive to adult hood, as it gets older, and heavier its problems will become worse. To me this is the hardest part about raising my own animals, having to make this difficult decision. Please, put the baby out of its misery, it will only get worse.
I agree it's more cruel to keep the poor little girl suffering. And due to these issues it's doubtful she'll lay eggs in the future so it's not going to be beneficial for anyone. It's hard, but necessary. I read a lot saying you're going to lose a chick and when I didn't I thought I beat the odds until swoop got eaten by a dog in the yard and sprocket got sick and I had to cull her. You'll lose a couple over time so don't let it make you too upset.
Ditto. Better to put her down now, than for her to continue suffering... and she is suffering... noted by the failure to grow.