Help with chick's foot

[envious]

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.

Roughly an inch or two.

 

[TOMTE]

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

Just open her beak and pop it in, she'll swallow it.

 

[coach723]

For the vitamins, you can grind/crush a tablet or empty a capsule, mix it into a tiny bit of moistened feed (something that it will eat all of) so that it will stick to the feed, and feed it to the chick. With a larger bird you can just pop it in the beak and push it back and they will swallow it. That's harder to do with a little one.

 

[TOMTE]

Roughly an inch or two.

That might be plenty. Just watch the chick to make sure she isn't having trouble getting around.

 

[envious]

For the vitamins, you can grind/crush a tablet or empty a capsule, mix it into a tiny bit of moistened feed (something that it will eat all of) so that it will stick to the feed, and feed it to the chick. With a larger bird you can just pop it in the beak and push it back and they will swallow it. That's harder to do with a little one.

Would I have to leave it separated for a bit until it eats it? Or would I just keep holding it to its beak until it eats it?

 

[coach723]

I usually just pull them out for a few minutes, let them eat it, and put them back. If it won't eat it, then try again later or try mixing it in something else. Many chicks are reluctant to eat food they aren't familiar with. If they are super reluctant I have on occasion mixed in water and given by syringe, but it doesn't mix well so you have to work at getting it all out of the syringe. And it's slow going so that they don't aspirate the liquid, just do a drip at a time. If you have tablets rather than capsules, then giving 1/4 directly in the beak is easier.

 

[TOMTE]

Would I have to leave it separated for a bit until it eats it? Or would I just keep holding it to its beak until it eats it?

You can separate the chick for feeding or hand feed, however you can be sure she gets all of the dose. It wouldn't hurt any of the other chicks who don't need it, but you want to make sure the one who does need it gets the vitamins.

 

[TOMTE]

Also, since an educator is in the thread, I want to say to listen to anyone with an educator badge giving advice before anyone without one. I try to give as accurate of advice as I can, but I'm still pretty new to chickens and still learning myself! If anyone ever tells you something that an educator refutes or contradicts, listen to the educator. They really know their stuff!

 

[thecatumbrella]

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.

Masking tape can definitely work, but it might be more painful for the chick to have it removed and reapplied each day. I'd test it on a hairy arm first. The tape I recommended can likely be found at any drugstore, or even the medical aisle of a supermarket.

I personally wouldn't use hay. I feel like it would be more difficult for the chicks to navigate while they're still getting strength in their legs, but someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

Edit: Paper towels can work instead of puppy pads. Anything to get her toes on a flat, non-slip surface. I also liked @TOMTE's suggestion of a rubber bath mat!

 

[TOMTE]

I personally wouldn't use hay. I feel like it would be more difficult for the chicks to navigate while they're still getting strength in their legs, but someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

I didn't think about that with pieces of hay sticking out every which way and being kicked around, it might be especially difficult for curly toe chick to get around.