curling toes

[mustangsaguaro]

I have for sure 1 chick maybe a 2nd one in which there toes are starting to curl downward. I need to fix this before it can't be fixed. I have them in a brooder which is not a homemade one but it's a metal one and the floor of it in which the chicks walk on is metal and does have the slight opens. What it looks like the chicks are doing is curling there toes and hanging on to the metal w/ there toes. I have many other chicks in there that are walking around perfectly fine like they should be. What can I put on there feet to fix this? Or I thought about I have some empty burlap feed bags I could always put that in there so they aren't walking on the metal. Only problem w/ the burlap is they are a bit on the slippery side. Am thinking if I put that in there that might create some splayed leg problems if it's to slippery.

If anyone has suggestion on how to fix these feet if you could post directions as well as pics would really appreciate it.

Thanks
Kim

 

[suburbanchickymama]

How about the no-slip drawer/cabinet liners? You can get a roll at the grocery store for less than $2. I used it in my hatcher and worked great! And I did have to make a shoe for one little chick. Great step-by-step instructions on here and only took one day in the shoe. Good luck!!!

 

[Happy Chooks]

Here's a link on how to make chick shoes.
https://sites.google.com/a/larsencreek.com/chicken-orthopedics/leg-braces

What about a thin piece of plywood on the bottom?

 

[Alexis]

Quote:
Wow, that's an amazing resource all in one page - thanks for sharing the link!

 

[mustangsaguaro]

Thanks for that link to that page very helpful.

However the other thing I noticed w/ this chick w/ the curled toes is it constantly wants to sleep. It doesn't seem as active as the other chicks. But it doesn't sleep laying down, it literally tries sleeping standing up. Is that something I need to worry about? What could be causing that?

Thanks

 

[Happy Chooks]

New chicks sleep a lot, doesn't matter if they are laying down or standing up, they'll just zonk out, like this:

 

[mrsfig]

I'm so new at this so dont know if it applies, but had to take one of mine to the vet yesterday she was limping, and the vet noticed a little curling of toes, not alot. But said a vitamin deficiency will cause that and gave her a b12 shot, but we are thinking she injured her leg somehow, and praying it turns out ok. My others dont have that symptom, she saw them too. But gave her the shot anyway. She mentioned she trusted purina start and grow and should have all the vitamins in it. Hope it helps. I line my brooder with a bird cage liner and put shavings on top of it.

 

[mustangsaguaro]

Quote:
I ended up putting one of my burlap feed bags down and everyone seems to be doing ok now. And did put the shoe on the chick, but all the other chicks are pecking at it trying to get it off.

As for feed I was thinking maybe some deficiency. But it's not happening to the other chicks. Doesn't surprise me that a vet says they trust Purina. Hate to say it but Purina is one of the worst feed companies out there. They use the cheapest ingredients possible. I am a huge label reader and if there are certain ingredients in feeds I won't feed it. Plus, I only feed organic feed. Don't think Purina makes an organic chicken feed and if they did I would still be hesitant to feed it. That's just me. Not trying to put anyone down on what they feed. I'm just very cautious of what I feed and if I know that herbicides/pesticides are in the feed or have been sprayed on the feed as part of the ingredients I try to stay away from it.