I have 2 special need chicks

[rhoda_bruce]

So I hatched out 50 chicks which came early. They were due on the 19th, but started hatching on the 17th and 18th, unless I counted wrong. Well I only needed to help out about 3 or 4. 2 of the chicks have a foot problem. They are holding themselves up well and seem to be eating and drinking, but if I put them in with the other chicks, they become food.
I am normally ruthless. I will not be keeping any pullets. I already have way more hens than I need. So all the pullets will be sold. I incubated for the roosters for meat purposes. I am feeding my special chicks on a paper towel with some chick starter and their water is in a mayonaise jar lid, with marbles.
I can't get my brooder to a good temp, so the chicks are in the house, in a box with newspaper. I am hoping the weather warms up soon, so the brooder temp can go up to at least 90 degrees soon and I can transfer the other 2 in the nasty box; or that they just die real quick of natural causes.
So can anyone tell me if they ever took care of a weaker chick, that made it to adulthood?

 

[Happy Chooks]

Yes I have. I had a BR chick that tore itself open at the umbilical area when it hatched. I had to intervene when the others started pecking at it in the incubator. I put a band aid over the wound and put the chick back in the incubator. When they were all dry, I moved them to the brooder. I did not expect this little chick to make it through the night. I was surprised the next morning to see it still alive. Same again the next night. On the 3rd day, I noticed there was fluid buildup around the wound. I considered culling it, but it was late and I wasn't able to research it in time to do the deed. (haven't culled before) I didn't think the chick would make it through the night.

Fast forward............he is now a 17 week old cockeral. He still has issues: 2 of his toes on each side are rolled to the outside of the foot. (but he gets around fine) He cannot roost high, about 12 inches is all. He's making progress, just slower. I tried integrating him in with my main flock and it didn't go well. He was pecked pretty badly because he couldn't get away. I tried giving him hiding places, but it didn't help much, so I removed him and he's in his own coop right now within sight of the others.

I always thought his roosting issues were due to his feet, but now I suspect his vision isn't the greatest. He definitely sees, but when he pecks at things, he misses what he's pecking at.

 

[The Sheriff]

Quote:
Sounds like your little guy and my Lucy would make quite a couple. They could live on the bottom rung of the ladder together!

 

[ZooMummzy]

I have two special need chickens right now (both with leg problems) that I raised from chicks. They are both healthy, happy and laying eggs. One is 1 year old (a Black Australorp) and other 2 years old (a blue EE bantam). They have no other health problems at all. They do live inside but that is only because I don't have a set up outside for them (one of them did live with my flock for a few months, but then started getting picked on, so I brought her in) and two because I spoil my chickens rotten. I take them out in the front yard during the summer to forage around (under my close eye of course). A lot of people wouldn't take the time or care I did with these chickens, but to me, they are worth it. My feed store gives me all the special need chicks they get in each year because they know I will care for them. Thankfully, there has only been two!

Good luck with yours.

 

[rhoda_bruce]

Well I did lose one chick......one of the healthy ones during the night. I just put 46 chicks in the brooder after putting 2 heat lights and surrounding it with insulation. I was finally able to get it in the 90s, so for better or for worse they are in there and my wimps are in the box and the incubator is cleaned. The only thing wrong seems to be a left foot problem with both of them. The toes are curved inward a bit and they limp. If I'm really lucky, they are both pullets and someone wants them free of charge as spoiled pets.

 

[ZooMummzy]

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If I were closer, I'd take them for sure

Sorry about the one you lost.

 

[Happy Chooks]

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Sounds like your little guy and my Lucy would make quite a couple. They could live on the bottom rung of the ladder together!

If you want him, he's yours. He found his voice last week though.

 

[wildorchid053]

alot of people with toe problems make a little temporary cast.. they take a piece of cardboard and put the toes on it and tape them into place.. try it for a few days and usualy the problem is gone.. if needed leave on longer