Daughter stepped on chick and now cannot move one leg

[Justin Statham]

Hello everyone. I am new to raising chickens but have 10 that we hatch last spring and they are doing fine. We hatched 5 more 3 weeks ago and sadly my daughter had them outside this weekend and accidentally stepped on one and now one side of its body is completely paralyzed. From what i can tell the leg doesn't look broke but I am not sure what to do. The chick is hopping around on 1 leg for now but I don't want it to suffer. Does anyone have any advice or anything I can try? My daughter absolutely loves her chickens and they let her hold them like dogs and cats.

 

[fawndane]

If it is paralyzed, I don’t believe there’s anything you can do.. Just let nature take its course.

 

[lilmillefleur]

You may need to put it down to stop it suffering. I'm sorry about that. Let your girl understand that it wasn't her fault.

 

[LaughingDucks]

I have treated many problems with my chickens. I have only lost two both chicks. I find that time tells the difference. We are so quick to jump at the idea of death being a cure for expected immediate healing. I have a beautiful snow white hen who fell off my picket fenced compost pile and caught her leg between the boards. I have no idea how long she was hung like that but when I found her she could not stand on the leg. She was about 7 weeks old. I brought her in and but her in a swirled towel so she could be off the leg but could still sit in the right position. I gave her vitamin water to drink. I kept putting her on her feet. Then I would pick her up gently and with my hands under her I would slowly take away the support of my hands. I was letting her decide she could stand on it. It took about a week before she showed marked improvement and hopped out for a bug crawling by. Outside she went. I sat her down in the run and walked off. She was eating with the other birds by end of day. I said all of that to say this. "IF" at the end of a week your chick doesn't show signs of improvement you should put it down. Let your daughter help you give it physical therapy to teach her responsibility for injury. It also helps them learn that Chickens are as mortal as human beings. Maybe it will help her realize she needs to care for them as thought they are as fragile as the eggs they lay. Good luck.

 

[Justin Statham]

Thanks I will give it a week and see what happens. They are in the brooder and so it just laying their and eating and drinking.

 

[LaughingDucks]

Thanks I will give it a week and see what happens. They are in the brooder and so it just laying their and eating and drinking.

Those are good signs. Just remember to help it use the leg and wrap a small towel/old rag into a nest for her to sit in and put her food and water where she can reach. There is something amazing about growing up that makes the chick more elastic so working with her and giving her vitamins is very important. Good luck!