Foot/leg injury — week old chick

[bannockburnokie]

One of my baby chicks is avoiding putting weight on one leg. There is no visible sign of bumblefoot or an injury. She lets me gently move and manipulate that leg and foot without complaint. Any other ideas of what to look for or do would be appreciated.

Knock on wood, she does seem to have more energy today. She had a bout of pasty butt and that’s definitely better now.

 

[azygous]

Can you get a video of this chick standing and walking? If not, please note the stance. Are the legs normally spaced? When the chick walks, does the favored leg jut out to the side? Are the toes curled? Do you see any faint greenish spots on the leg?

 

[bannockburnokie]

I wasn’t able to upload a video. I don’t see any greenish spots, her toes are not curled, and her stance seems okay. She holds the foot in front of her. Thank you for your reply. Any help is appreciated!

 

[azygous]

I very recently had a new chick, one I had just brought home from TSC, with an injured toe. It doesn't sound like much, but the pain prevented her from standing and walking, and she was very quickly going downhill at just one day old. (This feed store is a one day delivery from hatchery)

Anyway, I discovered she had an abrasion on her outside toe at the very tip. This could be easily mistaken for poop. I revived her with sugar water and vitamins and proceeded to treat her tiny toe.

It took three weeks to heal, and I was practically holding my breath the entire time hoping her toe wouldn't fall off. This is how chickens deal with severe injuries on their toes, by the way. She ended up losing the very tip including the nail, but still has 85% of the toe.

I am telling this story to illustrate that tiny chicks can have tiny injuries we don't notice easily. It sounds like your chick may have a painful injury to a nail or toe or foot pad. Try getting the chick in strong light and look again at that foot.

Soaking the foot is something I did for the first couple days, then spraying Vetericyn on it. If the injury is still invisible, we'll talk about chick chair treatment for a possible sprain.

 

[bannockburnokie]

Thank you. This is helpful. What did you use when you were soaking her foot? Just warm water or did you add something to it.

 

[azygous]

Epsom salt in warm water. Did you scrutinize the foot and leg? Compare it to the other for signs of swelling?