Help Curly Feet new hatched Chick!

[ChxLadyCass]

 

[happyhens1972]

Well done you! How's she getting along now? Able to walk? You may need to a little trimming to shape of the shoe so it is a bit more in line with the size of a normal foot so that the chick can work with it but you've done a terrific job! It often takes only 24 hours for the toes to 'set' where they should be so check regularly and remove as soon as possible. Good luck little chicky! xx

 

[ChxLadyCass]

Well done you! How's she getting along now? Able to walk? You may need to a little trimming to shape of the shoe so it is a bit more in line with the size of a normal foot so that the chick can work with it but you've done a terrific job! It often takes only 24 hours for the toes to 'set' where they should be so check regularly and remove as soon as possible. Good luck little chicky! xx

Thank you so much! I have toothpicks in there as splints as well. They were REALLY curved, so she needs a lot of support, but I will check on her twice daily and definitely scale back that support! Hoping she recovers well. She is moving around and walking, and even figured out how to hop on the MHP with her chick mates!

I learned from this:
1. It's best to corner off newly hatched chicks, so they are not slipping and sliding all over the place! Plus they are so cutely exhausted, they really just need to stay still and dry out!
2. Get to the warmer brooder as soon as they are dry! 4 hours works well!
3. Using the 2 squares of vet rap is the easiest way to cast crooked toes!
4. Using a small hair tie and vet rap it in the middle is the easiest way to correct splayed legs!
5. Spending all this time splinting gave my new chick and I a lot of time to bond and practice patience!!

 

[happyhens1972]

Can I ask what you have on the floor of the incubator? Splayed legs is often, though not always, caused by a slippery surface soon after hatch....they slide on it and are too weak to pull their legs back in to line. It is best to have something non-slip. I use brooder cloth which it a slightly knobbly, rubberised cloth made especially for this purpose but you can use any cloth that does NOT have a looped texture so they have grip but cannot get their tiny toes or claws caught in the fabric (like they could in towelling for example)

 

[ChxLadyCass]

Can I ask what you have on the floor of the incubator? Splayed legs is often, though not always, caused by a slippery surface soon after hatch....they slide on it and are too weak to pull their legs back in to line. It is best to have something non-slip. I use brooder cloth which it a slightly knobbly, rubberised cloth made especially for this purpose but you can use any cloth that does NOT have a looped texture so they have grip but cannot get their tiny toes or claws caught in the fabric (like they could in towelling for example)

Yes! I do not have a non slip surface! Lesson learned there as well! I left the egg turner in and that was a bad idea! I just checked on her and she is having trouble moving around. I'm hoping the cast and splint are just in her way. Fingers crossed for healing!!

 

[ChxLadyCass]

Here's how she's looking today! Her stance is comparable to he other chicks her age. You can see it almost looks like even her ankle is curled a little. Going to make a new brace this evening. Her legs look better though I think.