- Apr 28, 2011
- 8
- 1
- 9
Ok - am brand new to posting but have been lurking since getting our new chicks last Friday. 6 girls from Tractor Supply. 5 are thriving. One died the first day and was replaced. The replacement chickie was fine - a little smaller but probably a day younger than the others. Then 2 nights ago she seemed to be in rapid decline. Busy crazy night - had to get the kids to bed - couldn't face the drama - decided to let her be and see what happened. Still around in am, but droopy, head down, flopping over. Examined her, she seemed to have a dislocated hip. Fashioned a splint from bandaids as some here had suggested, separated her in a temporary brooder, made sure she got food and water all day. Got up with her over night - by this am she is running around, no limp, peeping like mad. Miraculous, right?
BUT,
She just wants to escape! The chicks are in our dog crate (large) with chicken wire to keep them in. The others are perfectly happy with this - no attempt to stick their heads through the wire. This one kept sticking her head through and trying to get out. So I lined the whole thing with wildlife netting, zipped on tight. She still goes around seeking an escape. She carries her head a little lower than the others, though I think that is partly because she is smaller/younger and they have started stretching out in their little chicken strut.
I'm worried that maybe I misdiagnosed her - could she have something that will make the rest of my little flock sick? Not sure how old they are - got as babies less than a week ago, so just weeks. I've searched and didn't find anything. She isn't gimpy, moves quickly, the others aren't bothering her but she basically ignores them, and she doesn't seem confused. She just seems determined to get out!
THanks for any help!
BUT,
She just wants to escape! The chicks are in our dog crate (large) with chicken wire to keep them in. The others are perfectly happy with this - no attempt to stick their heads through the wire. This one kept sticking her head through and trying to get out. So I lined the whole thing with wildlife netting, zipped on tight. She still goes around seeking an escape. She carries her head a little lower than the others, though I think that is partly because she is smaller/younger and they have started stretching out in their little chicken strut.
I'm worried that maybe I misdiagnosed her - could she have something that will make the rest of my little flock sick? Not sure how old they are - got as babies less than a week ago, so just weeks. I've searched and didn't find anything. She isn't gimpy, moves quickly, the others aren't bothering her but she basically ignores them, and she doesn't seem confused. She just seems determined to get out!
THanks for any help!
