Crippled chick

[ArchersMom]

My broody hatched some chicks 5 days ago. One was in a weird position and had to be helped out of the shell. It never stood after hatching, even several hours later when mama took the other chicks for food, she got left behind in the nest scooting around on her belly. I've had the chick in my brooder box with her leg splinted for the past 4 days, but there's not much improvement. It can stand since I splinted her leg and walk, but not very well. I'm not 100% sure if it's from a slipped tendon or an issue with her femur. Starting to wonder if it's worth life as a lonely chicken who sits most of the day :/

 

[azygous]

Instead of plain water, dissolve a B-complex tablet in the water, and have the chick drink only that. It will strengthen the legs.

A chick chair may be helpful to gradually strengthen the legs while keeping the chick upright. https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/versions-of-chick-chairs-please.1166308/

 

[Eggcessive]

It could also be a leg bone deformity such as varus or valgus, or a twisted tibia. There is no treatment, but some chicks can get around well enough to find food and water. Unfortunately many of these chicks are put down. I would use the B complex tablets since they are good for leg health, and won’t hurt.

 

[FloorCandy]

It could also be a leg bone deformity such as varus or valgus, or a twisted tibia. There is no treatment, but some chicks can get around well enough to find food and water. Unfortunately many of these chicks are put down. I would use the B complex tablets since they are good for leg health, and won’t hurt.

It looks very much like a valgus deformity in the 3rd photo. The chick would run a higher chance of slipping a tendon, but it could lead a normal healthy life with just a bit of lameness. One of the main long term goals with this type of deformity is to keep the chickens weight down, so don’t feed grower food. You want to make sure this chick gets lots of exercise and stays strong, since if it is a physical deformity there’s no cure, you just have to make the best of what he’s been dealt.

 

[ArchersMom]

I'm happy to share that my little chick is doing much better! I removed the splint and started vitamin B in the water, as suggested. You can barely tell that this chick couldn't stand. He's now running, and starting to chest bump my hand in the brooder . Thank you all for your wonderful suggestions!

 

[ArchersMom]

He is the loudest chick in the world! But I'm guessing that's normal with single chicks.