Help! Chicks hatched later than other eggs and are walking on their hocks

[humblehillsfarm]

I have seen pictures of those folks who tape the chick feet -- a small bit of (not super-sticky, sorta cheap type) )duct tape on the bottom of the foot, another small piece on top, making a 'sandwich' with the foot in the middle. Then it is very carefully trimmed in a triangle shape of the foot, sort of like a webbed duck foot. The tape can be carefully removed in a couple days.

The primary issue is they are walking on their hocks. I’ve had chicks with crooked toes, and they can still walk.

 

[ElizaMay]

It could depend on just how curled the toes are. If they are like little fists, walking on their hock and lower leg (plantigrade) may be the only way they can manoever. It makes me think that their feet are almost in a perch position, and I wonder then if maybe somehow splinting the legs so they are straighter will allow the feet to loosen?

 

[humblehillsfarm]

It could depend on just how curled the toes are. If they are like little fists, walking on their hock and lower leg (plantigrade) may be the only way they can manoever. It makes me think that their feet are almost in a perch position, and I wonder then if maybe somehow splinting the legs so they are straighter will allow the feet to loosen?

Their toes and ankles are swollen. I do both think the slightly curved toes are the problem.

 

[humblehillsfarm]

A tentative update: I for sure ID the chick from the barred rock egg and it is walking like normal and all swelling is reduced. There were several Marans but I think I had grabbed them all and didn’t see any walking unusually or with swollen feet.