Injured New Chick - What do I do?

[DarkWater1929]

Wow, so your rooster does have what it takes, at least for two of them?

What I would do is inspect it. On a newly hatched chick, that more than likely is a major strain or sprain. I would get some B-complex, or at least some Poultry Cell vitamins for all of their water, adults too. You can give it to everyone else weekly or whatever, but for this chick, every other day. B-Complex comes in pills or liquid. We have both. I would crush a pill and give about a sixth of it to this one and give equal parts once per day.

Mix whatever you have into some chick crumbles and a little water so this one eats it all.

If it appears to just be sprained and you can't find a break in it, I'd keep it in a small box, off its feet, so it can rest, and not move around so much as trying to keep up with mom. Do you have a heating pad that stays on, or some time of heat lamp? Just be careful not to overheat the chick. This is going to take a few days or even a week or two. Your chick is going to cry. Any chance another one would hatch? Mom hen will be fine with one, and you could take another to be buddies for yours.

If you do find a break, let us know.

Thank you! You don't think that, in feeling for breaks, I may separate the ends of the bone, if a break exists? The little thing is SO little! I should have said that it is half "California White," and half Modern Game Bird. Mom is the game bird, and boy, is she a lunatic!
She is Not nearly as bad as her sister, however. The sister has also been broody, but without the benefit of eggs that did not quickly begin to stink. So, I purchased three bantam chicks, (actually, a friend did, very kindly) which the nutty hen readily accepted. I mention this wondering whether one of her babies, which are about a week older, could be a decent companion for the convalescing baby? Presently, the newer family are confined in a small tote, but it's not fair, probably, to keep them there for the duration. Mom of the patient has already rejected the only other egg, which has begun to smell. So, these 5: two new, and three a little older than a week, are the entire crew. What do you think?
Yes, I have two different heat lamps, one more powerful, and one pretty good for indoor use, which is where the baby will be until mended.
So far as vitamins go, I have two sorts, with no present means to get more. I have five packets of Save-a-Chick, of the kind with vitamins. Then I have a bottle of liquid multivitamins that suggest that they be administered via syringe, individually, if memory serves. I must unearth them, to be sure, but I'm pretty sure that's correct. I have no doubt that they could be put in the water, but I don't object to dosing them all, to be sure that they all get their share. What do you think about these options?
I'm sorry to be so needy, but both of these moms worked so hard to be moms! Also, my guilt over not checking the eggs, or realizing that if they hadn't gone bad, there might be a reason, is profound. I cringe to think of the events that caused the injury. It's a wonder the baby made it through, with both legs attached. Just horrifying. So, thank you for your time and advice! I am truly grateful!

 

[Debbie292d]

You don't think that, in feeling for breaks, I may separate the ends of the bone, if a break exists?

You have to check it to determine if it's just a sprain or is a break that needs to be splinted. Without knowing, you could be ignoring a break. The best time to do this is when they are young like this, as with your help, it can make a full recovery.

If you had a vet to take it to, they could use X-ray or ultrasound. We don't have that luxury, so it's up to you to try to gently feel if it seems broken or not.