Help! Hurt Guinea Keet

[CAChickenNewbee]

I need some advice. I promised myself I wouldn't be tempted by special needs babies at the feed store, but this chick was about to be destroyed and I couldn't help myself. She apparently got her leg crushed by the others during shipping. She is 1-2 days old. She is drinking water and eating, but cannot move around very well. Her bad leg and toes appear to still move, but she can't bend at the joint, so it remains straight behind her. Does anyone have any recommendations to make her more comfortable? Any info is appreciated.

 

[b.hromada]

Lets bump this, and see if we can get you some help.

 

[CAChickenNewbee]

Here is a photo. The feed store guy told me she is a guinea fowl - the orange legs and chipmunk stripes look similar to photos I found on the web.

 

[bfrancis]

It's pelvis might have been severely injured, if that is the case, there really isn't any hope. It might be hard..but the most humane thing might to go ahead and put it down

I'm sorry.

 

[CAChickenNewbee]

This keet is amazing. She was barely able to move around when I first brought her home, but she had interest in food and water so we took turns all day watching her and making sure she could get to both - she actually dragged herself over to the teddy bear I put in the box and took a nap. After much research, I decided to try the bandaid splint used for splayed legs just to see if she could use the strong leg to balance herself. She is now upright and walking to the food and water. Her foot is curled under, but can be straightened, but her leg appears to be OK. I have 5 week old chicks in a brooder right next to her, so she seems to be soothed by them. I am hoping she will be strong enough tomorrow to maybe think about getting her a roommate. She is eating tons of food, drinking lots of water and pooping, so I think she may be out of the woods and on her way. Here is a photo before the splint.

 

[crtrlovr]

you can fashion a "boot" and tape the chick's toes down (do a search; you should be able to find pix and how-tos with no problem) to allow it to straighten. If the keet is bearing weight on the leg and is eating & drinking ok, I'd certainly give it a chance!

I know how you feel; the "special needs" ones are the first ones I gravitate to for some reason, be it chick, kitten, cockatiel, or anything else!

Hoping to hear good reports very soon!

 

[CAChickenNewbee]

Thank you so much for the advice. I used the splint for spraddle leg and then fashioned a boot from band-aids. She is upright and moving pretty well. She can easily get to food and water and appears to be comfortable and not to stressed out.

 

[gardenknitter]

Hang in there with her...we have one we affectionately call Gimpy...she has one leg that has never worked. Not sure what happened to her. But she gets around and is doing fine...we have had her since last fall. Good luck to your baby!!

 

[bfrancis]

I'm so glad the keet seems to be doing well with your splint

From the first photo you took, I feared the worst...I'm glad to say I was wrong

I hope it continues to improve

 

[Jplejeune]

I have found that with spider legged chicks and spraddle legged chicks if you put the on 1/4 by1/4 inch hardware cloth they will in time strengthen up. The holes in the wire help them to grip while they walk and over time they return to normal. I had 20 out of 80 keets 2 weeks ago that were spider legged and put them in the cage with wire bottom and now only 1 is slightly turned in but getting better everyday. Ive been doing this for some time and usually all turn out fine is taken care of right away