Hurt broiler chick

[brandislee]

I have a 3 week old broiler chick who is dragging one leg behind it. I can't find anything visually wrong with the leg, and the chick seems fine otherwise. I've had broiler chicks go down in the legs before and this isn't that- then they go with both legs, and they usually act weird on top of it. This one can sort of get around, it just doesn't seem able or willing to move the one leg. I'm assuming it's an injury.

My question is what do I do about it? It was in a pen outside with 38 other broilers so I put it back in the brooder with 10 EE chicks so it's less likely to be ran over, and I put it right next to the food and water (he is eating and drinking). Should I try to splint it or just leave it?

Any other ideas?

 

[MangerSainFarms]

Maybe slipped tendon ? Common at that age. Requires resetting tendon and splinting the leg. Generally give meloxicam for pain/inflammation. But on a meat bird may not want to go that route. Sorry to hear about your bird

 

[brandislee]

So that's something I can't do myself, right? Poor thing...

 

[MangerSainFarms]

Plenty of you tube videos and articles on how to do it. Just need a few things. All available at your local pharmacy or market of such. You can move the leg and feel the tendon. And typically there's a ball where the tendon exists outside of the joint. Quicker you fix it once noticed typically better they will do

 

[brandislee]

Thanks!