- Jan 19, 2011
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One of my newly hatched (2 days old) BBS Marans chicks was born with a crooked leg.
I tried looking up crooked legs...but I can't figure out what is wrong - it doesn't appear to be a slipped tendon or anything else I can find... he came right out the egg with it.
Basically, his one leg turns in and he can't seem to keep it under himself, either laying down or standing.
When he's lying down, the leg sticks out behind him and turns a right angle at his hock toward the other leg.
He's figured out how to prop himself up on the wall, so he can stand upright to feed/drink, but moves about his little hospital cage by scooting on his chest.
The leg seems to have full function - it is not swollen and he can bend it at the hock and close/open his foot.
I make sure he drinks several times a day, his appetite isn't great, but he's also only 2 days old right now....
Is he saveable???? I'll try anything suggested....
Update:
He can stand on his own!!
He gets tired and leans on the wall, but he can stand totally on his feet and sort of trip around his little hospital cage.
The bad foot is turned totally sideways, though...
He can also keep the foot tucked under himself when lying down! (Yay - so the other kids can't peck it, if/when he gets out of hospital)
He still can't peck to eat very well b/c he tumbles over, but I make sure he gets water and yogurt regularly...he doesn't really want crumble yet.
Think I should let him try or do you think he'll suffer as he gets heavier???
I tried looking up crooked legs...but I can't figure out what is wrong - it doesn't appear to be a slipped tendon or anything else I can find... he came right out the egg with it.
Basically, his one leg turns in and he can't seem to keep it under himself, either laying down or standing.
When he's lying down, the leg sticks out behind him and turns a right angle at his hock toward the other leg.
He's figured out how to prop himself up on the wall, so he can stand upright to feed/drink, but moves about his little hospital cage by scooting on his chest.
The leg seems to have full function - it is not swollen and he can bend it at the hock and close/open his foot.
I make sure he drinks several times a day, his appetite isn't great, but he's also only 2 days old right now....
Is he saveable???? I'll try anything suggested....
Update:
He can stand on his own!!
He gets tired and leans on the wall, but he can stand totally on his feet and sort of trip around his little hospital cage.
The bad foot is turned totally sideways, though...
He can also keep the foot tucked under himself when lying down! (Yay - so the other kids can't peck it, if/when he gets out of hospital)
He still can't peck to eat very well b/c he tumbles over, but I make sure he gets water and yogurt regularly...he doesn't really want crumble yet.
Think I should let him try or do you think he'll suffer as he gets heavier???
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