Hands on hatching and help

[SHillChickMan]

If it is spraddle leg what can I do?

 

[kuchchicks]

Go to your profile page. Scroll down there is a spot to upload photos. Then once it is uploaded hit the picture key above where you are posting... opposite end of the "face" symbol.

Unfortunately I had that happen twice in the last year. Both times I was pretty certain it was neurological. Once chick died on its own. The other I took to the vet to be put down. I hope this is not the case for your little one. But if not spraddle leg or splayed tendon or something like that its something will will have to consider. Both of my chicks seemed strong but always fell over to one side and then just stayed on that side. Sometimes spinning in circles. It was so sad.

 

[SHillChickMan]

I haven't but just moved them to the brooder. I can run get some if that might help

 

[kuchchicks]

Look up some videos on youtube and it will show you what spraddle leg looks like. If it is, then you can usually fix it by taping the chicks legs together with a band aid.

 

[SHillChickMan]

That is exactly what this one is doing. On its left side spinning in circles.....

What do I need to do different so the comment I am replying to shows up with my reply.....

 

[kuchchicks]

Hit the quote button below the comment you are replying to.

Hate to say it but my two chicks like that were neurological. There is reallly nothing that can be done in that case. I only know this because before I would let the vet down I had your look into it. She was the one that told me neurological is something that is almost always impossible to fix. I was okay with keeping special needs birds but in this case the vet thought that the chick would never be able to even sit up right and would always be on its side. She said if it did not end up starving to death (even though I was hand feeding it, it was not getting enough nutrition), it would end up getting sores that would turn septic on the side that it was laying on. Dont misunderstand, I am not telling you to put your chick down. Someone very wise told me once to "go with your gut". Your gut will tell you when the time is right if it ever is, or nature will handle that decision for you. You just don't want your little guy to suffer. PM me if you want me to tell you how we put our chicks down if you decide you need to go that route. I truly believe in this method. No suffering involved I believe.

 

[casportpony]

Ok I have a two day old baby chick that can't stand up. It kicks it's legs vigorously but doesn't seem to have balance or leg strength. I know you lose some but was wondering if there was anything I can do to help.

Read this thread and look at the pictures in post #6
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/994478/peachicks-leg-is-still-crooked-please-help

-Kathy

 

[RubyNala97]

Ok I have a two day old baby chick that can't stand up. It kicks it's legs vigorously but doesn't seem to have balance or leg strength. I know you lose some but was wondering if there was anything I can do to help.

Was it ever able to get up on its feet or has it been like this since hatch?

Oh yeah. Up north, we're still not out of the chilly weather and lots of us are still heating our homes and that makes for very dry air, especially wood stove and wood pellets stoves. I can run dry spring/summer and stay about 30%, mid fall and winter w/o anything it holds about 16% so a wet sponge is needed.

Do you find that the sponge makes humidity spike way up? Every time I've tried to add a sponge to the octagon 20 to help with humidity days 1-18, it spikes up to 80 and then slowly drops off.

Are you giving vitamins in their water?   

X2.

 

[jlashaw]

...

I haven't but just moved them to the brooder. I can run get some if that might help[/quote


Hi there
Alot of times chicks end up with leg issues because of vitamin deficiencies. I had a chick with its leg stuck out I front of it. I gave her vitamins and within three days she was normal. This is also the case with some eggs I got from a friend to hatch. The chick couldn't stand, just hobble around really fast. Again, I gave them the vitamin they are now fine. It's also very important that you don't put them on a slick surface. Even a towel is slippery for them. Alot of people put chicks on a slick surface like a cage floor. If you put them on the foam rubber shelf liner they grip it and don't slip. Some people say that the slipping alone causes splayed legs. If you tape them up they'll be fine but you need to do it while they are new chicks. Their bones are soft and playable. Good luck!

 

[caesargirl]