Limping Chick

[lablover]

I did read about the rooster booster and will have to go out of town tomorrow to hopefully find it. Mine free range, so there's always the possibility.

Eggcessive, thank you for those links!

 

[lablover]

Well I had planned today to separate the chick but before I could, the other chickens had already pecked a hole in the back of it's head. One eye is closed also. I'm debating on how far to let it go. It wants to eat, and I have the rooster booster to give it as well. Can I put vetricyn on the wound?

 

[Suzie]

Yes you can safely put vetricyn on her wound...you will need to keep her separated from your main flock...keep her somewhere warm...i.e. in the house..she will need to be isolated while she is recovering

 

[lablover]

Update on this chick. It can't get up at all. The leg it's limping on in the video stays out in front while the other stays tucked underneath. I've been giving the rooster booster, but now it's having a hard time eating. Every time it tries to eat or drink, it kinda convulses and has to lay it's head down. Still wants to eat, so is there any way I can get food down it? I'm waiting on Hypericum to come in.... just wanting to try for this chick....

 

[mightymax]

There's a person on here that goes by the screen name 'casportpony' who can teach you how to tube feed your bird if you'd like to give that a try...
Look her up and PM her. I'm sure she'd be glad to help!
Good Luck! You've brought her a long way already!

-kim-

 

[Eggcessive]

So sorry to hear about your chick and it's pecking injury. I would keep it comfortable, warm, and give it nourishment. Look at the link below for your state vet, and contact them about how to get a necropsy done in your area if the chick doesn't make it. I would get it tested for Mareks disease--you need a definite answer about that as it will affect the rest of your flock. Any future chicks would need to be vaccinated at the hatchery and kept away from any dust or dander from other chickens for 2 weeks, if there is Mareks in the flock. Here is the link:
http://www.usaha.org/Portals/6/StateAnimalHealthOfficials.pdf
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/799747/how-to-send-a-bird-for-a-necropsy-pictures

 

[lablover]

Thanks, both of you, and thank you Eggcessive for those links, I will look into that. I only have two adult birds that aren't from a hatchery. The rest are from Ideal. However, this batch of chicks was my first batch to hatch out.
Small improvements with this one (not even sure if it's a boy or girl lol). Today it is drinking and eating a lot easier, even picking out the food it wants vs. eating anything in site. Over the past few days, I've just noticed it's more alert and has a bit more control over the body.

 

[lablover]

Even more progress: vocalizing just a bit, being able to balance on the hocks and using wings for support, preening feathers, and even "settled down" into a nesting position in the hay and tucking it's head back into the wing. It's like night and day from yesterday, especially since just days ago it was too weak to hold it's head for long periods of time and having involuntary movements.

 

[sbhkma]

Good news indeed! Keep the chick warm, hydrated (if it's not drinking, you MUST tube it or at the very least syringe some water (see pic below, courtesty of casportpony). Hydration is very important, as the chick can't digest food properly if it's not hydrated. Keep up with the rooster booster in the water too. What are you feeding-chick feed? Make a mash by adding water or aloe juice to the consistency of oatmeal. Chickens seem to eat more readily that way and it gets more fluids in them. Good job helping this poor little thing out!

 

[lablover]

It readily drinks on it's own as well. The booster I have is to add to the feed, so I hope it was the right thing. Yes, chick starter with corn, oats, and sunflower seeds mixed in. Poop looks normal as well, so the only problem remaining as of now is the legs.