Deformed Chick - help!

[Honky Dory]

Hi guys, I've been hanging around here alot just waiting to be one of the proud chicken owners....and now I am YAY! I got my first babies yesterday and everyone is doing great except one little peep. He is having trouble walking (eats and drinks just fine) but on one foot the toes seem to be curled in. One wing also looks a little shorter than the other.
Anyone have any idea what is going on? They have a non-slip surface - paper towels -, and as much as I want to I am not overhandling. I'm so worried about my baby.
He also needs a name.

 

[coopist]

There may be no help for the wing problem, but the curled toes may be remedied by the application of a "boot" or splint made from tape. Straighten the toes, then place the foot on a piece of masking tape so that masking tape is on the bottom sticky side up, and then put a piece of clear packing tape on the top. The two pieces of tape will adhere, smooth in place so that they are holding the toes in place and straight. Trim to fit.

 

[fallenweeble]

hi honky d!
you will probably get a variety of answers . . . people who raise to show might say to "cull" a chick that has such clear "defects." others will say keep it as a pet!
i think it is up to you, based on your values.
i would say that if the chick seems to be otherwise happy (not suffering) then keep her and enjoy her just as she is.

regarding the curled foot - i saw a post recently where someone used "bandaid shoes" to straighten out the toes on some little silkie chicks! perhaps that might be an option for your little one. maybe post "how do i make bandaid shoes?" or something similar to get info on that.
(oops, i was posting at the same time as coopist)

 

[Kerr]

hmmmm
I had an Americauna hatch 2 months ago and she has silkie feet!
With an extra curled toe!
Sorry I don't know about different sized wings but mine sure has ugly feet

Not sure what a gimpy wing would affect if shes just for laying eggs.
My coworker is laughing at me as we type cuz she purchased a frozen bird for xmas and got one with a SHORT WING! She said other than being a little freaked out cuz it didn't look like right in the roasting pan....it sure tasted great

Hope he grows up just fine

Kerri

call him McLuvin cuz he's superbad

 

[Pelican49]

Quote:
And there's the name "Gimpy"

 

[Honky Dory]

Thanks guys, I'll try the "boot" tonight. How long will he have to wear it? He seems happy and healthy otherwise...he is going to be my special gimpy chicken, and if he turns out to be a she then I hope I'll get some special eggs as a bonus.
I LOVE the name McLuvin lol! Though he kinda reminds me of Napolean Dynamite too.

 

[coopist]

Sorry I didn't reply to the question earlier. The boot usually needs to be worn for several days. The earlier you put it on, the faster it usually works. If you take it off too soon, the foot will re-curl. If you leave it on until some growth occurs, the foot will straighten.

 

[MTtroutwithwings]

Name choice, "Nemo"

 

[StoneBridge Farm]

I vote Nemo too!

 

[Meesh]

Hey! I found a photo of a chickie bootie!!

It's on Featherside.com with the caption:

A Black Orpington chick
Its toes were curled, so they're being "splinted" to straighten them
Photo courtesy of John Fox and Max Wilkinson

Cheers,
Michelle