help! Baby chicks foot falling off!

[lilee]

I am new here, even though I've been a reader for a long time and hope I posted this in an okay spot. I have 3week old Americana chicks that I've had 2weeks. I've been watching them close. But, I've still made an awful mistake. I noticed when I first got them one had a band around its ankle and since the others did not and nobody at the store mentioned anything I thought it would fall off. well the skin had apparently started growing over it and its leg was swelling. It seems like this had come on suddenly. she had been acting fine but wasn't putting much weight on her foot so we decided to remove the band. we cleaned her up and there wasn't much blood but a few hours latter her foot is now hanging by a tendon. I don't know what to do. I also don't understand why the band was there in the first place.

 

[RJSchaefer]

The bands are supposed to fall off on their own. I'm fairly certain they're used for sexing.

If I were in your position, I would cull immediately. I have a special needs hen with a bum leg, but I'm not sure I could handle raising one without a foot. Or that it's really even feasible or worthwhile...

Just wanted to add, since that probably sounded cold and objective, I'm really sorry for what you're going through. I had to cull one of my cornish rocks early because he wouldn't feather or gain. It's heartbreaking.

 

[lilee]

they are suppose to fall off? That makes me feel slightly better thank you. I still feel like a failure of a chicken momma. So culling is probably best? she has seemed in fair spirits despite her foot. But its only been a few hours. My husband said the wild chickens where he is from lose legs toes ect and do fine. I just don't want to set an animal up for a hard life.

 

[chickzndahood]

dont worry, your not a failure

lots of people have baby chicks die, and they dont even know why. you are NOT a failure!!

 

[RJSchaefer]

Definitely not a failure! The bands they ship with are designed to fall off. I've seen it on hatchery websites frequently. It was an unfortunate accident.

 

[lilee]

thank you guys for all of your support! I felt like I had done so much research and never come across this before. I wish I had known. I really appreciate the encouragement, I feel so bad about this.