HELP --Rescued day or so old chick from TSC......

[scalaway]

Okay, I'm a push-over when it comes to my kids---My son and I were at TSC and he found a little RIR that was limping around...He was crying and the gentleman working there gave it to him to doctor...what's one more when you've got 30?? right???.Well, I'm hoping we aren't in over our heads. It's leg is broken I'm sure...it's holding it in a very awkward way and has a sore on it as well-(I used neosporin on the wound)----I'm guessing it happen during shipping--I've got electrolytes (quick chick) in the water and we've got food for him as well---haven't seen the poo yet, but we've gotten him to drink a bit--my question is..should I try to "splint" it's leg or should I just let it go?? Any suggestions I would GREATLY appreciate

!! HELP

!!!

 

[miss_jayne]

my answer will sound crass, but it is just how we do things here, what is best for you is something you need to decide.

i would put it down. a lesson in real life for your child. God gave us charge over the animals and one of those responsibilities is knowing when it's time to say when.

you could have a funeral, talk about how you tried to do what's best and maybe discuss how too many birds in a small space can result in this type of injury and, "that's why we are so careful with our birds" etc.

whatever you decide to do, blessings over you and yours for trying.

 

[clhbubba]

I think you could give it some time and it could heal on it's own. I got two ducklings because they had a broken leg each and they healed just fine. I also had a little chick that had a broken leg. It's knee joint bent backwards. I tried splinting it for a while then just left it. The splint caused it more grief. I put it in a smaller enclosure with food and water close. Added a little buddy. She and the ducklings are 100% fine today as adults. I also took some sickly chicks this year from Atwoods, very tiny and very weak. They are also doing fine! Give the little guy a shot at life. Thanks for taking him in.

 

[Poulets De Cajun]

Quote:
agreed...

 

[Sillystunt]

wow, tuff call!!! Me personally would not have the heart to put it down. I am a sissy la la. LOL
Maybe splint it and if it doesn't work use plan B.
I am a new chicken owner so i have no real knowledge of how to handle this....Just a disclaimer!

 

[scalaway]

Quote:
We splint it......and we're going to give it a few days......My son has a very tender heart(so does his mommy!!), and putting it down before we even tried wouldn't work. We lost his older sister a few years back, (www.alyssashike.org) so I think he needs to try---at least try ---to see if he can help this little peep-- I know it's just a crazy chicken, but I think about how good he would feel if it did make it--We know it's chances aren't great--and if it goes, it's okay--we'll do the old chicken funeral -- We've got a ton of chickens (30 right now...) and we've had several die over the years---but I really think this one has a fighting chance--it's eating and drinking and is really ticked at the little "splint" we put on it--I just used gauze and a band-aid

-and some neosporin--we'll check it out tomorrow and see what happens ---I'm hoping beyond all hopes that it makes it--if it does, it'll make a nice little buddy for my son

-- Thanks for all the advice..

..I really appreciate it

--

 

[miss_jayne]

just because it's "just a crazy chicken" doesn't mean it's silly or nonsense to do what you're doing.

before taking charge over the animals, we are charged with our privilege to care for our children.

his heart being tender is a gift and to be nurtured. doing what is right for you and your son is wise.

happy Mother's day. the choice you have made in this query is what separates a biological female parent from a real Mom.

 

[scalaway]

Quote:
Thank you

-- Happy Mother's day to you too

---

ps (BTW..it's eating and drinking....hopefully that's a good sign

)

 

[Becky_H]

One of my RSL babies broke it's leg the second day it was home (it dove out of my hands). I didn't do anything but leave it alone and make sure it was kept warm and wasn't being picked at by the other chicks. It took about 2 weeks and it was fine. The beauty of really young things being injured is that they heal at an INCREDIBLE rate. As long as your guy's eating and drinking and pooping, I'll bet he'll be fine.

 

[4boysmom]

I had a little chick with a hurt leg - it was really swollen around the joint - hobbling with the leg way out to the side. Tried splinting, but didn't do a good job. last week, I just put a bandaid around it to give it a little extra support - baby is doing great! I think it was broken. the kids at school were letting them fly down off their hand from the edge of the box and I think it must have fallen wrong. Teacher didn't realize they were doing it, so next time I have babies at school, I'll make sure the teachers are aware the kids try to do this