Crooked Toes on new Hatchling-Help Please

[coffeemama]

1) EE chick just hatched today
2) Crooked toes on both feet-walking on "knuckles"
3) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma-No
4) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation-Unknown(genetic?)
5) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all.-Unmedicated chick starter and water , but just ot out of the hatcher a few hours ago
6) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc.-None that I can see yet
7) What has been the treatment you have administered so far?-None yet
8 ) What is your intent as far as treatment?-Want to treat myself-I have electrolytes/vitamins I can add to water, or poly-visal
9) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it.-I can get one if needed, but it's pretty common I think
10) Describe the housing/bedding in use-Brooder at 95 degrees under lamp, shelf liner was in hatcher and is in brooder-no drafts

 

[LuannKeller]

You can tape the feet open - make little duck feet with first aid tape (duck tape can work but HARD to get off.) Do it right away and it is likely that his feet will straighten up. I have had success with this but don't see the condition very often.

As far as I know (not far) causes can be nutrition, humidity during incubator, or genetic. Make note of the problem and if you see a trend you'll need to consider the pattern to decide the most likely culprit and try to correct it.

Good luck.

 

[coffeemama]

Do I sandwich the toes between duck tape? I'm finding it difficult to picture what to do exactly.

 

[MissPrissy]

Don't use duct tape. That will rip the hide off the tiny feet. Use band aides. Let me find my photos.

 

[MissPrissy]

Use cardboard and make the bottom of a 'shoe'. Use bandaides to keep the toes in places.

 

[s6bee]

Oh, I am sorry that has to be done, but I have to say how cute....

 

[coffeemama]

I used some painters tape-made a cardboard "sandal" like yours Miss P. I taped every tiny toe around thought before I saw your reply. I'm sure they fall off, so I'll use band-aids for the next go around. It's amazing how they go from being so fumbly trying to get around, to walking pretty darn well with the sandal on! Thanks all, and thank you for the photo Miss P!