Curling foot

[okie-chick93]

i just bought a baby chick and it's starting to have problems with its foot curling. It seemed okay when I got it but when I got it home it was tripping over its foot like its foot was too big for its body... Wasn't curling up until today.... Not its clenching up?! I don't want it to become crippled it's the sweetest baby ever! How can I help it?! It's not bad yet... Just clenching if it's not on it and sometimes trips when it walks but it's getting worse

 

[BlueShadow]

What are you feeding it? Is it getting any vitamin supplements?

See post #3 in this thread for a good description of B vitamin deficiency in chicks. It causes curled feet, like you are describing.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...ick-suddenly-has-week-curled-up-feet.1178747/

 

[okie-chick93]

It's eating chick starter and just grass in the yard. It's not a baby baby, it doesn't have baby fluff or anything. Maybe 6 weeks old.

 

[Eggcessive]

Give vitamins including riboflavin (B2.) Human B complex crushed into food, chick vitamins, or some chopped beef liver can be given daily. The sooner riboflavin deficiency is treated, the better the chances of recovery.​

 

[okie-chick93]

Do I need to give all of that or just pick beef liver or the vitamins? Would a feed store carry the vitamins? so electrolytes won't help?

 

[BlueShadow]

Do I need to give all of that or just pick beef liver or the vitamins? Would a feed store carry the vitamins? so electrolytes won't help?

Electrolytes may or may not help. You need to read the label and see if it includes B vitamins and riboflavin in the ingredients. In general, "electrolytes" are minerals and salts, vitamins are different. A mix may include both, but very often is primarily one or the other, i.e. have lots of vitamins and just a tiny bit of electrolytes, or lots of electrolytes and just a tiny bit of vitamins.

 

[okie-chick93]

I'll go to the mill today and look for vitamins. Thanks everyone for the help!!

 

[okie-chick93]

Will the chick end up crippled? How long should I give it vitamins? Will they say on the label how much?

 

[Eggcessive]

Just give one product or food that contains riboflavin (B2.) Most chick vitamins contain electrolytes, and those are safe for a short time. Give the riboflavin for at least 2 weeks. If you do not see improvement, then there may be another problem. Beef liver, plain yogurt, egg, spinsach, almonds all contain riboflavin. but chop anything large.

 

[okie-chick93]

Will this lead to permanent damage of any kind? The mill was closed today. I'm going tomorrow morning