Deformed chicks

[tank1970]

Unfortunately, I had to put the one down today. It couln't eat or drink and was suffering more than I was willing to watch. Now I still have the one that has one leg dragging behind it. I hobbled it, but it isn't working. I don't know if I did it right. It is the fastest one in the group when it isn't hobbled. I just don't understand why it won't pull the leg in front.

 

[LoveMyBirds]

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[ItsSuzzie]

Oh, that is so sad. you know, they say when a chick does not hatch, there is a reason why. It just was not formed right or something. The only thing I have experienced so far was Spray leg. Poor little one died. Baby was a mix and I wonder if the genes had something to do with it. It was a Silkie-Serama. came out with yellow legs, one five toes, one four toes, tiny Silkie as it was Serama size. Might have been a pretty cool Serama. Oh well, god took it home.

Baby is alive here, just resting...it is it's birthday after all.
Spray leg causes them not to stand. The usually die. But what a cute little serama it would have been.

 

[Superman11383]

i know it sounds heartless but to preserve the integrity of my Buff Orpingtons, I Cull any noticeable birth defects.

 

[chicklady63]

I've read a lot lately about preparing for healthy hatches by making certain your breeding stock is given a breeder quality feed before collecting eggs to hatch. They can run into problems if the breeders are too closely related as well. Certain breeds carry inherant genetic factors that are deadly. Sometimes the temps, humidity, turning, etc., are not the problem at all. All these things naturally fluccuate with broody hens.
Vitamin deficiences can cause lots of unusual birth defects.

 

[cointoss]

hmm, could it be dragging the leg behind it because of hip deformity or dislocation? Perhaps a tiny bit of (very!) gentle massage on the hip area might help, a couple times a day for a few minutes. I'd leave the splint on, too.

 

[the urban yard farm]

I remember my grandfther culling the chicks when I was a kid. He raised for sale as fryers and eggs. There were lots of birds. When you only have a few for eggs for your family things change. I have 5 laying hens in the coop. Enough eggs for naighbors and myself. Then there is Adorible. It's easy to find yourself attatched. She (he) will not be with the others so there is NO chance of breeding.
We don't all have the farm state of minde. If I had 50 chicks I would probubly cull them for there own good . Few things more heart breaking then to see siblings or others cull there own flock.
My daughter has 50 she bought as chicks, there were two that had to be taken out. She didn't have the heart so I did it for her teaching her the best way. The one she is attatched too and will keep till death is John Wayne Rooster, a Road Island red with attitude. A champian in his own mind.
Raynell