Curled toes... With shoes on

[NuggetsNuggets]

Hello all.

I have a small chick that we think was a day or two overdue, had to be helped from his egg and has curled toes on one foot.

I've read tons and tons of info over the last few days and decided to try a pair of "shoes" on him to uncurl the toes and straighten one on the other foot.

So, he's had his shoes on for less than a day, doesn't appear to be in pain, or so I think. The biggest problem is he seems to be trying to walk on his tippy toes, like a tiny little ballet dancer and not nearly as successful. He's also peeping loudly and very often.

Though he seems to be scrambling around, can get to food and water (which has been raised, so he doesn't fall into it), there are 2 other chicks he seems to be trying to snuggle up to endlessly then continues peeping loudly. I've removed any and all obstacles from the tiny "brooder" he is in, he is plenty warm, has company, can get food and water, and is getting extra vitamins.... He just seems so miserable and trying to walk on his toes.

Has anyone tried the little "shoes?" If so, did it take a day or so to adjust to? Perhaps I should try something different, maybe a different design for the little guy? When he's standing still, which isn't often, his feet and legs look ok with the shoes on and I made very sure they event too thick, heavy short, long... Anything I thought might interfere with him trying to walk normally.

I've found that scooping him up and holding him cupped in my hands quiets him and he will fall asleep for a few moments, but it seems like he wakes up, realizes he's not with his friends and starts squirming, so I only hold him a few minutes at a time before returning him to the warm place.

Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Nx2

 

[farmerbrowne]

what did you use for the "shoes"? I had used pipe cleaners and my little chick hobbled all around for a couple days but after that started to walk normally. Try to take it off to see how the foot is, the shoe if still needed, it may need to be adjusted

 

[NuggetsNuggets]

I couldn't find pipecleaners, so I cut small, almost guitar-pick shaped pieces of an old sour cream container lid (very thin plastic) then I used pieces (the ends) of fabric band aids and small pieces of paper medical tape to hold the toes in place. The toes look in place to me and aside from possibly being irritable about the shoes, even when I was putting his shoes on, he didn't seem to be in pain. The curled toes were actually quite flexible and the little ankle joint looks good too. I'll give him until tomorrow afternoon, I guess and see how he adjusts. I'll try to post a picture of him, if I can. Thank you!

 

[farmerbrowne]

your more than welcome! I had my two hens by "c section" LOL eggcratingting them from the egg. I know how it feels to want to do everything for your birds

 

[farmerbrowne]

Makesure chickey has a non slip suface to walk on! Paper towel layed down flatly works great!

 

[NuggetsNuggets]

The shoes didn't last long and mostly got pecked off, so I removed what was left of the, this morning. It is apparent now the little guy is hurting and doesn't move around too much. Here's a few photos. Perhaps someone can give me some other ideas. Thanks again!!

 

[NuggetsNuggets]

This little guy just looks so miserable... Can someone please help?

 

[Eggcessive]

Could you try making a chick chair? Go to the "search" box at the top of the page, and search "chick chair." When you get there, click on the sixth thread, and look at the pictures in post # 5.

 

[NuggetsNuggets]

Thank you. I'd considered a chick chair for this little guy, but he seems to be getting around ok, despite walking on the curled up toes. One day in the shoes straightened a crooked toe on the other foot, so I'm leaning back toward some type of shoe, but I think it would have to be done slowly so as not to cause him any more pain. What I may try is pipe cleaners and bend them a little straighter each day, so that it's not all at once. The toes are flexible and seem to "work," just curled up.

Here's what the shoes looked like I had on him:

 

[Eggcessive]

Does the chick have one leg that goes out to the side or more backwrd than the other? That could be a slipped tendone or leg bone diformity. Here are some pictures of chick chairs: