Help- chick hopping on hocks-doomed?

[Fourgirlsoneboy]

Today the little chick (got yesterday) is hopping all over on its hocks (elbows?). My question is, is there hope for it learning to use its geet? I have it taped for spraddle legs, but I'm wondering if that is right. At least it is moving around noe- yesterday it wasn't at all.

It is drinking-pooping but I haven't actually seen it eat yet. Thanks for any input!

 

[AmyBella]

Little chicks are very resilient! How old is she?

 

[Fourgirlsoneboy]

She shipped Mon, so this is prob her third day. Its like she doesn't know she has feet. We are giving her supervised floor time and he is hop-hobbling from one side to the other before she takes a rest. Then we separate her for a while. I feel bad cause her hocks are starting to look red

 

[AmyBella]

Poor baby! I did a search using the window up to the right and found this thread... it has some interesting insight.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=178599

Could it be the achilles tendon? Can you post a picture? Maybe one of the more experienced members can tell from seeing it. You know, the spaddle tape is probably helping since she is moving around more. She might just need some time to learn to walk with the support.

Personally, I would mix her mash with some plain yougurt and make sure that she eats. Some extra protein in the form of egg yolk will get her strength up and help her grow and heal. There are other nutritional suggestions if you follow the link.

 

[rcentner]

I also have a chick, appears to be the achilles tendon, but how to I isolate the tendon to move it? The chick is 4 hours old...any ideas? don't want to break the leg. I can get it to straighten, but chick doesn't hold it like the other leg.

 

[AmyBella]

I wish I knew how to reset the tendon, but I have not personally done it. There is some advice here.... https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=201834&p=2
or you can search "achilles tendon" in window in the upper right corner.

I am interested to know how it goes!

 

[Fourgirlsoneboy]

its poor hocks are really big compaired to the others. I tried to gently staighten her legs, but I couldn't. I made a type of sling so only her feet touch, but she just sits there and cheeps really loudly. She is still drinking from a dropper, etc. I think we are going to put her down

 

[purpletree23]

If you haven't put her down yet you could try liquid vitamins. She could have a vitamin deficiency. Get Poly Vi Sol baby vitamins at any pharmacy or walmart. Get the formula WITHOUT IRON. Give the chick one drop by beak in the morning and one drop at night. Drop the vitamin on the side/top of the beak so the medicine rolls into the babys mouth and she can swallow it and not chock on it. Try it until you feel it is working or mot working.

Good luck.........Keep us posted

 

[AmyBella]

Oh, such a hard decision! I really feel for you. A lot of times the hard decisions are for the best, though. You did what you could for her.