Help! My chicks foot!

[Mbart83]

hi! So I am fairly new to raising chicks- I have 8 English Orpington chicks that I hatched. They are 2 weeks old and all eating and drinking and healthy. Well all except one- I am thinking he’s a roo, but a few days ago, I thought he had poop stuck on his foot, but when it seemed to be pulling, I soaked his foot and found the bottom appears to be ripped (skin chunk flapping and a bit of blood). I cleaned it up and he’s been pretty good- again eating and drinking and pooping. Tonight we checked his foot again and soaked it and noticed that his knuckles have little cuts on them. He is walking ok- no one is picking one him. He is very vocal- pretty high pitched- I can always tell when it’s him chirping. They have pine shavings for bedding- nothing that I can see that could have hurt him- it’s only his right foot- no one else has anything on their feet- please help! I feel so bad for the little guy! Here are a couple photos after we soaked it- the bottom of his foot that has the dark spot is the spot that was ripped up, like the flap of skin...

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

What type of feeders and waterers are you using? What all is in your brooder? It does look like cuts. I also see feathers on it's legs so it's not an Orpington.

 

[Mbart83]

Huh.....I was told they were Orpington eggs! Pine shavings, hanging plastic waterer, plastic feeder on shavings, in a dog crate that has card board 6 inches up so they can't get threw, and 1/2 inch galvanized hardware cloth around outside since they figured out how to pass over the cardboard lol oh and a 1 inch square maple roosting bar but they don't use it yet

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hi @Mbart83

Does he have any other sore places on his body?
How are you brooding your chicks - do you have a photo of your brooder set-up?

Soaking the foot is a good idea. After soaking, dry the foot very well, apply some vetericyn or triple antibiotic ointment and wrap the foot. I'm inclined that the foot needs to stay as dry as possible.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Hardware cloth can be sharp. I would suspect that possibly.

 

[Mbart83]

Awesome, yes I dry it and put ointment on it...I didn't wrap it because I didn't want to bring attention to it since the other chicks aren't bothering him

 

[Wyorp Rock]

in a dog crate that has card board 6 inches up so they can't get threw, and 1/2 inch galvanized hardware cloth around outside since they figured out how to pass over the cardboard

Hardware cloth can be sharp. I would suspect that possibly.

X2

I agree with @oldhenlikesdogs on all counts. I think you may have answered your own question here They have learned to pass over the cardboard - I would suspect this little adventurous baby is getting the toes hung in the hardware cloth somehow.

The bottom of the foot - I'm not quite sure what would do that, he/she is so young - it reminds me of Pododermatitis (bumblefoot/hock burn) check to make sure your bedding is staying as dry as possible. You mention a hanging waterer - is the brooder wet? If so, then consider doing something different.

 

[Mbart83]

Thanks so much! Now I guess I need to ID my chicks‍ Who can help me?!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Thanks so much! Now I guess I need to ID my chicks‍ Who can help me?!

LOL He/She needs to be older to determine sex. I do also agree with @oldhenlikesdogs feathered feet, not an Orpington. Could have Orpington crossed with feather foot breed It will be interesting to see what "it" looks like grown up.