Help with chick's foot

[envious]

Hi, one of my chicks who was struggling in it shell came out. Today, I noticed that it was walking rather awkwardly. I tried looking it up and it looks like it might be curled foot, but I want confirmation because I rather not do more damage than needed. If anyone could help, I appreciate it.

 

[TOMTE]

This article might help you!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/corrective-“shoes”-for-chicks.76391/

 

[envious]

This article might help you!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/corrective-“shoes”-for-chicks.76391/

Okay, I read through it. Do we need to put them back in incubator? I already moved the chick in the brooder.

 

[thecatumbrella]

Definitely curled toes on the left foot. I had a Silkie chick earlier this year with the same problem.

Because of her feathered legs and feet, I ended up going with Nexcare Sensitive Skin Tape. Cut a fairly long piece (maybe 3 inches?), positioned the bad foot on top with the front 3 toes in correct positioning (back two toes hang outside the tape), folded over the top to seal, and then trimmed as much as possible to make little paddles.

Took about 3 days to correct itself (with a fresh tape each morning). She did need a bit of motivation to move around on her own. It really helps if you can make small cutouts between the toes, but I admit, that can be challenging to do if they're squirmy.

Edit: Forgot to add, make sure the chick can get traction on whatever they're standing on. We used a double layer of puppy pads in the brooder for the first few days, and that worked beautifully with her taped feet.

 

[TOMTE]

Okay, I read through it. Do we need to put them back in incubator? I already moved the chick in the brooder.

She doesn't need to go back into the 'bator. The chick in the article only went back in because she had just hatched, I believe.

 

[envious]

Definitely curled toes on the left foot. I had a Silkie chick earlier this year with the same problem.

Because of her feathered legs and feet, I ended up going with Nexcare Sensitive Skin Tape. Cut a fairly long piece (maybe 3 inches?), positioned the bad foot on top with the front 3 toes in correct positioning (back two toes hang outside the tape), folded over the top to seal, and then trimmed as much as possible to make little paddles.

Took about 3 days to correct itself (with a fresh tape each morning). She did need a bit of motivation to move around on her own. It really helps if you can make small cutouts between the toes, but I admit, that can be challenging to do if they're squirmy.

Edit: Forgot to add, make sure the chick can get traction on whatever they're standing on. We used a double layer of puppy pads in the brooder for the first few days, and that worked beautifully with her taped feet.

I don't have that type of tape. Would masking tape do the trick, or should I run to Tractor Supply to get one (or wherever that sells it)?

Also, we use hay as the nesting for the brooder. Would that work as traction? I don't exactly have alternatives unless I buy more things.

 

[coach723]

In addition to a chick shoe to help hold everything in place in a more normal position, I would give a b complex or super b complex tablet or capsule once a day. 1/4 of one since she's small. The b's are very safe, extra will be excreted. Riboflavin in particular can contribute to curled toes and may help with correcting this (though it may be from being malpositioned in the egg). Human supplements, from any pharmacy or big box store, brand doesn't matter, just try to find one that is just b's and contains riboflavin (b2). Use a low tack tape or you can use vet wrap or co wrap. You don't want something very sticky that is hard to remove. Those toes are tiny and you don't want to damage them. Vet wrap or co wrap sticks to itself but not the toes. You need to redo often, as they grow so fast, and check for rubbing or swelling from anything being too tight.

 

[TOMTE]

I don't have that type of tape. Would masking tape do the trick, or should I run to Tractor Supply to get one?

Also, we use hay as the nesting for the brooder. Would that work as traction? I don't exactly have alternatives unless I buy more things.

How thick is the layer of hay? If it isn't thick enough the chick might slip-slide around as the hay shifts underfoot.

If you have (or can buy) a rubber bathtub mat, the kind that's used to prevent slipping in the tub, that'll have enough traction and be easy to clean.

 

[TOMTE]

Something like this.

https://www.amazon.com/Duck-Brand-287109-Safety-Inches/dp/B0BXZ1N32L?gQT=1

 

[envious]

In addition to a chick shoe to help hold everything in place in a more normal position, I would give a b complex or super b complex tablet or capsule once a day. 1/4 of one since she's small. The b's are very safe, extra will be excreted. Riboflavin in particular can contribute to curled toes and may help with correcting this (though it may be from being malpositioned in the egg). Human supplements, from any pharmacy or big box store, brand doesn't matter, just try to find one that is just b's and contains riboflavin (b2). Use a low tack tape or you can use vet wrap or co wrap. You don't want something very sticky that is hard to remove. Those toes are tiny and you don't want to damage them. Vet wrap or co wrap sticks to itself but not the toes. You need to redo often, as they grow so fast, and check for rubbing or swelling from anything being too tight.

Oh, I have some of that at home. But how would I go about giving it to the chick?