- Mar 26, 2013
- 3
- 0
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Hello BYC, this is my first post. I have 3 adult pullets that I raised from chicks so I am experienced with chickens in general. I purchased six Rhode Island red pullet chicks from my local farm supply store. They offered me 2 injured chicks that were in a separate cage. They didn't seem to be ill, and I figured they would be much better off with me taking care of them than the store. I got them home and did a brief physical exam. The first bird's weight was 32 grams, slightly underweight compared to the other chicks. The vent was also clear. The eyes were fairly bright and alert, and did not appear to be sunken. I did not check for a consensual response or palpebral reflex, as I did not feel it necessary. The abdomen was firm, and felt the same as the healthy chick's abdomens. I had trouble finding/feeling the crop, so I couldn't really tell if it had been eating/drinking. As for it's wings, they are missing primary and early flight feathers. The employee at the store said they were getting trampled by the other chicks, which is why they were separated. It seems that it was also getting it's feathers pecked at. I discovered the main problem upon examining the legs. The chick's left foot and hock are red and swollen, and it cannot extend it's leg fully. It spends all day laying on it's injured leg. Looking at it's leg, it has what looks like a long red vein. Judging by the leg scales she looks kind of dehydrated. I got her to eat a good deal of chick starter, and a little bit of water. As for the other chick, it is in mostly the same condition, but it seems to be considerably better off than the injured RIR (the second injured chick is actually an ISA brown). I looked online and found that it's condition most closely resembles a slipped achille's tendon. I tried stretching the leg backwards to pop the tendon back into place, but to no avail. I have the (injured) chicks in the same bin as the healthy ones, but they are in elevated tupperware containers, so the other chicks can't jump inside (although a few have succeeded!). They have bottle caps for food and water. I have been giving them some pedialyte to try to replenish electrolytes and rehydrate. I am not sure what to do for it at this point. I will continue to weigh and take records to see if they are rehydrating. Should I try to make a pseudo cast? Braces? Any help is really appreciated. I hope I can save these chicks. Thanks.
