Chickiechickieboomboom
Chirping
I have three 2.5 week-old chicks in my indoor brooder. One chick arrived at 1 day old with a leg injury that has not healed. It presented as a slipped tendon, and despite popping back in place, splinting and using a chick chair, the leg did not recover. I no longer use the chick chair, I just use vetwrap on the lower leg for added stability, and a sandal on her foot because her toes have started to permanently curl under. She cannot bear weight on the leg and hobbles around. Her knee has hardened and calcified so she cannot straighten it fully. She is much smaller than the other 2 chicks hatched the same day.
I'm so overwhelmed. I can't imagine a normal life for her. How will she ever climb the ladder or hop up to roost? Climb over the lip of the nesting box? Is she in pain and I just don't know it? Will I have to splint her every day for life? She is terrified of me because I'm the mean monster who messes with her leg every day.
She can eat (off the ground, not out of the feeder) and drink and poop and hobble but that is all. It's very sad and I feel very uncertain about her future. I think I'm looking for advice, or anyone with experience with a disabled chicken?
Here are my 3 (the injured one is the smallest) -
I'm so overwhelmed. I can't imagine a normal life for her. How will she ever climb the ladder or hop up to roost? Climb over the lip of the nesting box? Is she in pain and I just don't know it? Will I have to splint her every day for life? She is terrified of me because I'm the mean monster who messes with her leg every day.
She can eat (off the ground, not out of the feeder) and drink and poop and hobble but that is all. It's very sad and I feel very uncertain about her future. I think I'm looking for advice, or anyone with experience with a disabled chicken?
Here are my 3 (the injured one is the smallest) -