Maran chick inturned foot

[poppy86]

Hi

We had a bad batch of eggs. Only one out of 24 hatched. Rest were infertile. So poor Uno is a lone chick!

I've grown fond of it, but cannot seem to cure his inturned foot! I have done a cardboard shoe that straightened his toes out but he still walks on the outside of his foot and leg, so.his hock is on the floor of his sandsheet.

I have put the cardboard shoe back on and added a foam wedge on the side to persuade him to roll his foot in as he walks. He is v unimpressed! My dad thinks he is a lost cause as he isn't growing very much.

Does he need a splint as well?

 

[poppy86]

Anyone? Really could use some help!

 

[sroy]

I really have no clue. But I don't think it would hurt to splint it. Poor little thing. It's very cute. You might end up with a gimpy pet chicken.

 

[aart]

It could be a problem with the leg rather than the foot.
Slipped tendon.... or the two joints in the leg(don't know the names) ......or the hip joint.

 

[poppy86]

He does have a fat hock that side but i thought it was because he was hopping on it.
I have used matchsticks to make a splint to straighten it. Feel so mean but its that or i have to put him down.

 

[poppy86]

He is about four weeks old so I think its a bit late to help him

 

[aart]

Yeah, usually leg/foot problems need to be resolved within the first few days to maybe a week.
I've had to put down several chicks with skeletal leg/foot deformities, it's a Romance meets Reality part of hatching.
It stinks but better IMO than watching them struggle and suffer.

 

[poppy86]

True. I feel so bad for little guy. We straightened his toes straight away but didnt know his problem was bigger than that.

He doesn't seem in any pain but hops on that hock :-(

 

[3riverschick]

True. I feel so bad for little guy. We straightened his toes straight away but didnt know his problem was bigger than that.

He doesn't seem in any pain but hops on that hock :-(

See the BYC Raising Chicks thread called" Virgin Chick Owner...beginning of the journey" Post number 71. It has some literature cites which may help you.
Best,
Karen