HELP!!! Chick wont use its leg?!?!

[KimKat33]

Sorry for typos, i am on mobile.

I have this chick i took from the local feed store since no one wanted it.

Its at most a week old, and will not use its leg.

I am newish to owning chickens and do not know what a slipped tendon looks like.

The chick is a rhode island.

Edit: she is breathing heavier than the other two chicks i have in there. I dont think the heat lamp is too close but heres a photo.

 

[KimKat33]

I should add that it lays on the leg it can use, the other one causes it pain when i tried to inspect the tendon.

 

[Eggcessive]

I would make it a little chick chair so that you can get it upright and in front of food and water. It could have an injury from shipping or a birth defect. Spend some time holding it upright to use it’s legs. Watch to see if the legs are splayed or more than 1 1/2 inch apart. There is a pic below of how to treat splayed legs. A slipped tendon or a leg bone deformity could be possible. Here is a good link that shows homemade chick chairs and slings:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/versions-of-chick-chairs-please.1166308/
Here is a good link about slipped tendons:
https://www.chickenheavenonearth.co...u-can-do-to-help-chicken-heaven-on-earth.html

 

[KimKat33]

Thank you,

I went to check on her this morning and noticed after stretching her leg for a little, it not looks like this

 

[CluckNDoodle]

I would also give the chick a vitamin supplement that includes vitamin B2 riboflavin. This is often related to leg and foot issues but even if it's not the vitamins are always helpful to give the chick a boost while it's recovering. Good luck with your peep! I hope it pulls through!

 

[KimKat33]

She has been on riboflavin for a couple days. I have them on chick boost probiotics, but it lists riboflavin in the ingredients.

Thank you all for the help

 

[Eggcessive]

Does the left leg appear swollen or red at the hock joint? That can be typical of a slipped tendon. A leg bone deformity called varus or valgus deformity, which can affect one or both legs, can cause one leg to be bowed out or knock-kneed. This chick appears to have aslipped tendon:

The chick below suffers from varus deformity:

 

[KimKat33]

The hock does seem red and slightly swollen, but i wouldnt know how to fix the tendon. I have read many sites, but im scared of putting too much pressure and breaking the leg. I also do not know which way i would have to push the tendon to get it back into place. (Not to mention I am not sure how to locate it. Do you guys have pictures of normal legs and a slipped tendon?)

Also if i touch the hock, the chick chirps loudly

 

[Eggcessive]

Did you read the link about slipped tendons in post 3 above? It gives some info about repositioning the tendon so that you can tape it in place and splint. To be very honest with you, most leg problems in chicks may not be able to be fixed. I am not an expert on leg problems, but I would try to let the chick get around on it’s own to learn how to get food and water. The chick chair link is also good to read, in case you want to make one for her to use. Just let her out often to try to move around.

This thread is good to read to see how one person fixed a slipped tendon:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/peachick-with-slipped-tendon.1092979/

 

[Eggcessive]

Here is a short video followed by another one where someone replaces the tendon: