Curled toes and probably a slipped tend

[Hunnied]

I’d appreciate any feedback regarding this chick’s prognosis for quality of life, or advice on how to treat her. Here’s the situation:
She hatched on the 28th, and I received her via USPS on the 29th. Her toes are curled, and I thought she had spraddle leg. Upon further research, I believe she may have a slipped tendon in her left leg. I cannot straighten it, and I believe her knee joint may be very mildly inflamed. I’ve been trying to splint both feet, but as every single splint I have made (I’ve tried soooooo many types of splints) has fallen off rather quickly, I’ve mostly been focusing my efforts on her right foot this evening.

I do not believe she is in pain, but then I am not certain how chicks express pain. She is not chirping as if in distress. When I occasionally put her in the brooder with the other chicks for supervised visits and assessments she does walk around a bit, though not as much as the healthy babies. She is noticeably smaller than the other chicks which were born on the same day as her, but she is eating crumble and drinking an electrolyte/vitamin supplement.


I’ve included a couple photos as well as this link to a YouTube video of her gait.

 

[lbgreenfield]

Aw poor baby, I don't have any experience with this, bumping for more views and tagging a few others:
@aart
@Wyorp Rock
@Eggcessive
@azygous

 

[azygous]

Try this for possible slipped tendon:

Hold your left hand out, palm up, fingers toward the right, in front of your chest. Lay the chick's belly in your left hand, feet pointing back toward your body, overhanging your pinky finger/palm. Grasp the feet and legs between your right thumb and forefinger.
Slowly lower your left hand like you're going to pitch a soft ball and let the bird dangle for just a few seconds. Twist your wrist outward, and the bird's reaction should be to lift its head and body upward toward your hand. Keep your hand under, but not touching. When it does, you can re-grab the body.
This will sometimes "reset" a slipped hip or knee joint. It won't hurt the chick. It may work. It may not if the injury has set.

 

[Hunnied]

Try this for possible slipped tendon:

Hold your left hand out, palm up, fingers toward the right, in front of your chest. Lay the chick's belly in your left hand, feet pointing back toward your body, overhanging your pinky finger/palm. Grasp the feet and legs between your right thumb and forefinger.
Slowly lower your left hand like you're going to pitch a soft ball and let the bird dangle for just a few seconds. Twist your wrist outward, and the bird's reaction should be to lift its head and body upward toward your hand. Keep your hand under, but not touching. When it does, you can re-grab the body.
This will sometimes "reset" a slipped hip or knee joint. It won't hurt the chick. It may work. It may not if the injury has set.

Thank you -your reply is EXACTLY the thorough explanation for this that I was looking for! All of my online and book research was only turning up the same brief description over and over again.
I got overwhelmed with far too many 16hr overnight shifts at work due to a staffing emergency the day after posting this, and so chick care was unfortunately mostly left to my son and partner. I am happy to report that the chick is doing well, and is back in the brooder with the rest of her flock. Her legs are not much better, but her toes, while not normal, are significantly less curled. She doesn’t seem to be in any pain, there does not appear to be any swelling in any of her joints, and she is growing well! I FINALLY have a night off, and will asses her legs and joints and attempt to treat her as you describe within the hour. I feel like it may be too late, but it’s worth a try, and I greatly appreciate your reply!

 

[azygous]

Hope it works. Good luck. And I hope you get some rest.

 

[Hunnied]

Hope it works. Good luck. And I hope you get some rest.

Thank you; fortunately my chickens soothe my soul and bring me some peace.

It didn’t seem to make a difference for her legs, but it didn’t seem to bother her at all, either. It made me feel better and somewhat more empowered and competent to have learned about something else to try to do to help her without hurting her.