sawilliams
Songster
So i had a single chick develop a slipped tendon at about a week old. I think she might have gotten injured, mom is a first time and isn't very careful walking around her baby's (though non have been hurt otherwise).
Anyway i think i noticed it Monday or Tuesday and after researching all day I told hubby what the plan was. Against suggestions I decided I wanted to try to keep her with the flock though i could easily set up my broodee if needed.
After trying twice to adjust her leg I was pretty certain I got the tendon in place that night, but having never done it and it was fairly swollen I was still very worried. I put her back with mama and checked in her the next day. She was still keeping the leg up that day and most hopping though she did use it occasionally, so again that night I tried to stretch it and feel of it need adjusting, it was slightly swollen but not as bad as the first day. I wrapped it in a figure 8 with stretch wrap (a light being color simial to her leg) and placed her back with mom. I had probably tried 3 or 4 different ways of wrapping before i found the right width and style that I felt didn't interfere with her trying to walk, and I watched to make sure the wrap didn't cuase others to want to peck her. When i checked her the next day her toes look slightly swollen so I quickly took the wrap off and decided it would be safer with out. At this piont she was using it more but still limping on it, she would walk on it but stop after a few feet and hold it up. So i have continued to watch throughout the day and stretch her leg gently each night.
Though she is still slower then the other chicks right now i did notice today she is keeping her leg down consistantly, she still has a limp but does use it properly when walking and is now back to running with almost no sign of the limp. I figure due to my mistakes and choices early on she might always have a slight limp, but as of tonight unless she is walking I almost can't tell which one she is.
I'll continue to watch the chicks for a few more days to make sure it doesn't reappear and hopefully that she is learning to use it better and catching up with the others. But as of right now she is doing well and I'm glad that everything has worked out and she got to stay with mama the whole time.
*please be aware I checked on her and the flock multiple times thorough out the day to make sure she was eating drinking and not being bothered by other chicks or chickens. I certainly would not have considered leaving her in the flock if i wouldn't be able to watch her regularly to make sure she was safe and healthy through her recovery.
Anyway i think i noticed it Monday or Tuesday and after researching all day I told hubby what the plan was. Against suggestions I decided I wanted to try to keep her with the flock though i could easily set up my broodee if needed.
After trying twice to adjust her leg I was pretty certain I got the tendon in place that night, but having never done it and it was fairly swollen I was still very worried. I put her back with mama and checked in her the next day. She was still keeping the leg up that day and most hopping though she did use it occasionally, so again that night I tried to stretch it and feel of it need adjusting, it was slightly swollen but not as bad as the first day. I wrapped it in a figure 8 with stretch wrap (a light being color simial to her leg) and placed her back with mom. I had probably tried 3 or 4 different ways of wrapping before i found the right width and style that I felt didn't interfere with her trying to walk, and I watched to make sure the wrap didn't cuase others to want to peck her. When i checked her the next day her toes look slightly swollen so I quickly took the wrap off and decided it would be safer with out. At this piont she was using it more but still limping on it, she would walk on it but stop after a few feet and hold it up. So i have continued to watch throughout the day and stretch her leg gently each night.
Though she is still slower then the other chicks right now i did notice today she is keeping her leg down consistantly, she still has a limp but does use it properly when walking and is now back to running with almost no sign of the limp. I figure due to my mistakes and choices early on she might always have a slight limp, but as of tonight unless she is walking I almost can't tell which one she is.
I'll continue to watch the chicks for a few more days to make sure it doesn't reappear and hopefully that she is learning to use it better and catching up with the others. But as of right now she is doing well and I'm glad that everything has worked out and she got to stay with mama the whole time.
*please be aware I checked on her and the flock multiple times thorough out the day to make sure she was eating drinking and not being bothered by other chicks or chickens. I certainly would not have considered leaving her in the flock if i wouldn't be able to watch her regularly to make sure she was safe and healthy through her recovery.
