I'm back with babies :)

[mafaller]

I don't know if any of you remember me, but I had dying chickens and was here sucking your brains for a while. I ordered (from a hatchery this time) more chicks. I ordered from Murray McMurray the 25 mixed large brown egg layers, 1 rare mystery chick, and 10 Rhode Island Reds. The arrived this morning and are vibrant and eating and drinking.

I'm so happy to get a fresh start. I got 27 chicks from a local guy and I ended up with 5 that lived long enough to lay eggs.

Here's my new issue.

1) What type of bird , age and weight. One day old chick. Unknown breed.

2) What is the behavior, exactly. One leg is not working.

3) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma. No

4) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation. I got her out of the box this morning like this. I was hoping it would get better but it hasn't in the 4 hours she's been here.

5) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all. Eating and drinking vigorously, just seriously hobbled.

6) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc. Green like the rest of them.

7) What has been the treatment you have administered so far? They have sugar and quik chik in their water and gro gel as well as chick starter with antibiotics.

8 ) What is your intent as far as treatment? For example, do you want to treat completely yourself, or do you need help in stabilizing the bird til you can get to a vet? No vetting, just hoping she makes it.

9) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it. It may help. I don't have a pic yet of just her.

10) Describe the housing/bedding in use 3 foot by 3 foot wooden brooder box with two heat lamps, two wateres, newspaper over pine chip bedding. They all seem comfy and happy. Oh, the brooder box is in my kitchen, raised off the floor.

Any ideas on her. Should I seperate her so she doesn't get stepped on? Is this a common thing? I can't see anything wrong with her at all. Her foot seems to work right and looks healthy/nondeformed. I'm just afraid that she'll be using all her energy to struggle around and will die.

Thanks in advance
Michelle in Florida

 

[ThePamperedPullet]

Welcome back to BYC from The Pampered Pullets Farm here in North Central Florida.

Is the leg not moving or is it twisted out or what is the actual problem with the leg? Without a pic or complete description it is hard to say what to do. If it is not able to move it it could be a slipped tendon at the elbow. If it is splay legged then it can be splinted. If it has curled toes the can be taped.

 

[mafaller]

Thanks for the welcome.

I'm having trouble getting pictures of it that could show you, video would work better; but I don't know if I'm technically inclined enough. haha Her three toes appear normal and are not curled. She kinda uses her foot as a cane at times, but the bottom from the elbow seems to be without much function. She doesn't seem weak or sickly just having trouble with that leg for some reason. Sorry if that doesn't help. From the choices you offered I'd guess slipped tendon at the elbow maybe???

Thanks again
Michelle from Florida

 

[AHappychick]

Quote:
yes that is what I was gonna say, we need more description about the leg.

 

[ThePamperedPullet]

You can feel at the elbow and can usually feel if the tendon is to one side or the other of the bones. If it is you can usually manipulate the tendon back into place and then wrap some wound tape around it to help keep it in place until it stays there on its own. If you PM speckledhen she can probably tell you exactly how to go about it. They have a chick that is on the mend right now.

Here is the link to her chick

www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=267520

 

[mafaller]

Thanks so much for the help and thanks for your speed of response.

I checked her elbow and I sure can't tell if there is a tendon out of place. I'm try and get in touch with the person from that link. Thanks for that, it was very helpful.

Thanks again
Michelle in Florida

 

[speckledhen]

Michelle, I am not an expert. Here is a great article that gives suggestions for you. I've only had two youngsters with this problem over the years and sometimes, it's not fixable, but here's the link:

http://sites.google.com/a/larsencreek.com/chicken-orthopedics/leg-braces

 

[mafaller]

Thanks again. I'm checking the sight you sent me and keeping a close eye on the chick. Do you guys think this warrants seperating her? She doesn't seem to be getting picked on too badly (no more than others). She seems happy and healthy and is getting easily from food to water.

 

[mafaller]

Just wanted to drop in and let you guys know that she is completely better. I kept periodically exercising that leg hoping that a tendon would slip back in or some miracle would happen. One night I heard a loud pop when I was exercising her leg and two days later I can't find her. I can't pick her out from the others at all. I can't find any chickens that are limping.

Great news. Thanks.

Michelle Faller
In North Florida