Hi!
I hatched seven Icelandic chickens on Sunday and Monday. This is my first time hatching, and I am a complete beginner. Two of the chicks had leg problems after hatching. Both were treated and had their legs taped/splinted. All of them got B-complex in their water since two out of seven showed signs of what I have read could be a vitamin deficiency. They have non-slip flooring/towels that are changed daily. One chick improved enormously after just one day and is now perfectly fine. The other one still has problems. It seems like the misalignment comes from the thigh/knee, which makes the entire leg crooked.
I almost gave up earlier today because it hurts to watch the chick struggle and potentially be in pain… so I decided to cull it. It was lying still most of the time, getting stepped on and pushed by the others. Separating it didn’t work, as both the chick and the others became stressed. The chair-metod didnt work. I removed the bandages and leg ties so it wouldn’t have to wear them for its last moments. But then something happened — it suddenly perked up a lot. It started eating a lot, drinking a lot, and following the flock. It gets to where it wants to go, even though the leg is crooked and it loses balance sometimes. It tries to stand on both legs, but the bad leg slips out now and then. When the leg bends, it goes at an unnatural angle. It cannot bend normally like the other leg.
Now I am very unsure — it eats, drinks, and walks around even though it falls and has poor balance. But it has an enormous will to live and does not seem to be in pain as far as I can tell (I assume if it were in pain, it wouldn’t be so active, eating and drinking?). My question is — could this be something it can live with as an adult? Could it improve in any way, as it builds muscle?
Has anyone been in a similar situation? Icelandic chickens are a medium/light breed, so they don’t get very heavy. Please, if anyone has been in the same situation, I would appreciate your help. I cannot stand the thought of an animal potentially suffering, but I also cannot bring myself to deny it a chance if it has the potential for a pain-free and decent life.
All the photos were taken after the tape/splint had been removed.
Thanks!
I hatched seven Icelandic chickens on Sunday and Monday. This is my first time hatching, and I am a complete beginner. Two of the chicks had leg problems after hatching. Both were treated and had their legs taped/splinted. All of them got B-complex in their water since two out of seven showed signs of what I have read could be a vitamin deficiency. They have non-slip flooring/towels that are changed daily. One chick improved enormously after just one day and is now perfectly fine. The other one still has problems. It seems like the misalignment comes from the thigh/knee, which makes the entire leg crooked.
I almost gave up earlier today because it hurts to watch the chick struggle and potentially be in pain… so I decided to cull it. It was lying still most of the time, getting stepped on and pushed by the others. Separating it didn’t work, as both the chick and the others became stressed. The chair-metod didnt work. I removed the bandages and leg ties so it wouldn’t have to wear them for its last moments. But then something happened — it suddenly perked up a lot. It started eating a lot, drinking a lot, and following the flock. It gets to where it wants to go, even though the leg is crooked and it loses balance sometimes. It tries to stand on both legs, but the bad leg slips out now and then. When the leg bends, it goes at an unnatural angle. It cannot bend normally like the other leg.
Now I am very unsure — it eats, drinks, and walks around even though it falls and has poor balance. But it has an enormous will to live and does not seem to be in pain as far as I can tell (I assume if it were in pain, it wouldn’t be so active, eating and drinking?). My question is — could this be something it can live with as an adult? Could it improve in any way, as it builds muscle?
Has anyone been in a similar situation? Icelandic chickens are a medium/light breed, so they don’t get very heavy. Please, if anyone has been in the same situation, I would appreciate your help. I cannot stand the thought of an animal potentially suffering, but I also cannot bring myself to deny it a chance if it has the potential for a pain-free and decent life.
All the photos were taken after the tape/splint had been removed.
Thanks!
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