Fixing Chick's Curled Toes

[casportpony]

That's a bummer. I would have liked to get this one's toes more aligned, but once his skin hit the sticky part it was difficult to reposition safely.

I had that problem too, but I think maybe there is less risk of damaging the skin and joints on the larger chicks.

 

[BantyChooks]

I had that problem too, but I think maybe there is less risk of damaging the skin and joints on the larger chicks.

That seems likely. It's going to take some delicate work to get this one un-stuck in two days.

 

[casportpony]

That seems likely. It's going to take some delicate work to get this one un-stuck in two days.

I wonder if soaking the band-aid with something would help?

 

[BantyChooks]

I wonder if soaking the band-aid with something would help?

Yes, I plan to soak his toes in warm water and then use coconut oil or some other nontoxic lubricant while I'm peeling it back.

(After dealing with small children covered in bandaids that would've screamed bloody murder if they were ripped off, I have become quite adept at taking them off gently.)

 

[Shadrach]

In most cases I prefer to cull but curled toes and splayed legs (especially those caused by a slippery surface) are such easy fixes that it is often impossible to resist helping.

How do you go about fixing splayed legs?

 

[R2elk]

That seems likely. It's going to take some delicate work to get this one un-stuck in two days.

That is why I use scotch tape. It is often falling off by the time it is no longer needed.

 

[BantyChooks]

I thought it seemed rather stiff and sharp for such a little feller, though on a larger bird I can see it being a good choice.

That is why I use scotch tape. It is often falling off by the time it is no longer needed.

 

[R2elk]

How do you go about fixing splayed legs?

I tend to only run into it with some of my guinea keets. I cut a strip of scotch tape twice as long as needed for the necessary distance between the two legs and cut that in 1/2 lengthwise. I place one leg (midway between the feet and the hock) on the sticky side of the tape about 1/3 of the way from one end of the tape and then press the tape to itself.. The other leg is placed on the other end of the tape, again on the sticky side so that it allows both legs to be about even with the outside of the body. I finish by pressing the tape together on itself so that it covers up all of the sticky side. By the time it is ready to be taken off, it has usually already fallen off. On occasion an industrious little booger will work it off before it has healed and requires a second application. It is usually trial and error to get just the right distance between the legs.

This only works for splayed legs. It will not work for slipped tendons. Those I cull, although there are treatments that can cure slipped tendons especially if caught early enough.

 

[DiYMama540]

The tiny button is the cutest thing I've seen all day! This makes me smile!

 

[casportpony]

Posted by @waldeneffect

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/chick-with-curled-toes.51112/page-5#post-12824606