Lame chick.

[Sooner]

Quote:
Mine started hatching on Thursday night late & these were hatched on Sat. The three that I have don't cry or chirp but spend alot of time sleeping. I get them & hold them to watch them move their legs. They don't appear to have curled toes or anything. They haven't & don't flip on their backs. I gave sugar water right out of the bator. There is food on the floor that they can get to an they do peck at it some but sleep more than anything else.

 

[debilorrah]

Mine is still having issues. Hollering at the top of its lungs too. Thank God for ear plugs.

 

[abanjaf]

I also had another chick, now 3 1/2 weeks old whom I affectionately called "Splits" after he hatched......because that is what his legs did for his first several days (spraddle leg). I kept that bunch on paper towels for a week for extra traction for him. He was a very large, vigorous chick in all other regards. I also have another chick, hatched last night, who I have separated from the rest. His/her right foot sticks up in the air and looks like a lovely worm treat to the rest so therefore a source of pecking. This little chick appears to move its leg normally when picked up (maybe some increased tone I think), but hobbles on it when trying to walk. The chick otherwise acts normally. I pick him up several times a day and exercise his little leg. I've had several instances of leg issues after hatch that have all worked themselves out by the time the chick is five days old. I would continue to try to encourage the little guys to eat and drink, while wearing earplugs I don't know if there's much more you can do other than that. If they're scooting around on their hocks and otherwise getting around, then it should resolve itself. Anyone else have any suggestions?

 

[debilorrah]

My biggest problem is that I work full time. Over the weekend it has been fine with me dipping and all. Come tomorrow morning I gotta go to work and I have a bunch of meetings so taking it to work is out! I guess if it dies I have done all I really can. It is a chick from the first egg my Ameraucana laid. I am also wondering it that is the issue....

 

[Sooner]

Everything is the same for me but I am noticing that one foot seems to be alittle different, the skin is thin & I can see the vains.....I will update as things change.

 

[abanjaf]

So sorry to hear that there's no improvement with your little guy The skin thing is a new one on me. Hopefully someone on here has some ideas about that. I think I may have to try splinting my little guy's legs and see it that helps. He's able to balance better today, but there appear to be numerous things wrong with the legs. The chick can not extend the right leg, although I am able to straighten it out without any resistance. The outer toe on each foot is still folded over the bottom of the foot and the left leg, for lack of a better description, just looks funny. Depressing..........

 

[abanjaf]

In researching how to splint my chick's legs, I came across this:

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

Hope it helps

 

[Sooner]

Wow thanks, I wondered about the chair thing. I am going to check for the slipped tendon when I get home tonight. So far there has been no change.

 

[abanjaf]

My little guy is not doing so good Appears one of his hocks is infected, whole leg is red and swollen. Will post a query here, but don't hold much faith in him coming through. How is it that they so quickly steal our hearts?

 

[Sooner]

Update: One of the chicks is starting to stand, it is only for short times & he is very wobbly. I will be putting a boot on his foot tonight to straighten the toes as they seem to have curled more. I am not sure if this is from laying on it or just not using it. The other one already has the boot on but isn't standing like this one.

I also have one that is standing an walking around, it chirps all the time & doesn't seem to eat or drink much. As we have been dipping the ones that can't stand I also do the same for that one but it doesn't drink often but seems strong.

Boot: small piece of cardboard to flatten the foot taped with banaids.