Momma broke her leg, HELP!

[Ilovemyduckies]

So, Saturday, my bantam hen hatched out three chicks. She has been a really good with the chicks up until now. I caught her digging and pecking at the chick (this was not just an accident. The chick was doing everything she could to get away but mom kept following her and kept trying to get at her when she was wedged in between some plywood and the water bowl). The thing that has me puzzled, is that this was a happy totally healthy chick, and there was even another chick that had a huge soar under it's leg, but she just happened to pick the healthiest of the three to pick on. The minute I saw her I grabbed the three chicks and have them with me now. I have three options, put them back with their mom and see what happens (definitely don't want to do this), put them in my brooder and raise them myself, or try putting them under another broody at night (who is only at day 5 and I kinda wanted her the hatch the eggs she's on). Please help me, I'm not sure what to do.

 

[igetallthechix]

best chance you have is to take her to the vet sorry to hear about your hen thats sad

but am glad to help

if it doesn't work I'm awfully sorry

 

[earlybird10842]

Poor little chicks!

 

[Ilovemyduckies]

I called the vet and he sad he could take a look, but he hasn't done too much with poultry. I think I will set up an appointment, but I'll see.

 

[Ilovemyduckies]

I looked it up and I think I know what I'm going to do. I'm going to raise them myself. Although, I want to give them the experience of actually having a mother so I'm going to try to be with almost 24/7. Although, I need to find a way to make them feel like they are under mom during the night (any ideas on how to do this?). I just don't want to have to take them from their mom then make it even weirder for them by sticking them in a box. A

 

[RonC]

They are going to need a place to warm up if they get chilled. To make them feel they are under momma hang a feather duster in the brooder down low they can get under. Not sure how this will work with a heat lamp though. Might put a heating pad wrapped in a towel under the duster. Just don't let them get too hot. They adapt pretty well to not having a real chicken mom to raise them. The box isn't so scary to them.

 

[Ilovemyduckies]

I know, I've raised chicks before, I just want them to still sleep the way they're used to. Thx for the advice

 

[GabbyDoo]

I wish I could take care of the chicks! You could try putting them in a basket with a warm blanket under them and on them. Maybe that will help.

 

[jlfreije]

Did you end up taking the chick to the vet? I am a vet but admittedly very new to poultry... but learning as fast as I can. I can say that I have done a fair amount of wildlife rehab and it is easy to fix a fractured songbird leg. We just use masking tape You stick a layer lengthwise on each side of the leg, so that the edges of the tape are sticking together and the leg is directly through the center. Then apply another layer or two until it is rigid enough. Trim the edges a little if need be, and make sure there are no sticky parts or sharp edges. Leave on for 2 weeks. Sometimes they chew the tape splint off and you need to replace it. I don't see why this wouldn't work with a chick. Should still go to the vet to get the wounds treated and get an opinion from a vet who has actually seen the fracture as to whether or not the tape splint is a good idea. Good luck!

 

[Ilovemyduckies]

Did you end up taking the chick to the vet? I am a vet but admittedly very new to poultry... but learning as fast as I can. I can say that I have done a fair amount of wildlife rehab and it is easy to fix a fractured songbird leg. We just use masking tape You stick a layer lengthwise on each side of the leg, so that the edges of the tape are sticking together and the leg is directly through the center. Then apply another layer or two until it is rigid enough. Trim the edges a little if need be, and make sure there are no sticky parts or sharp edges. Leave on for 2 weeks. Sometimes they chew the tape splint off and you need to replace it. I don't see why this wouldn't work with a chick. Should still go to the vet to get the wounds treated and get an opinion from a vet who has actually seen the fracture as to whether or not the tape splint is a good idea. Good luck!

Well, I researched a little more on it, and looks like plenty of chicks have recovered from a broken leg on their own. Although, i still might try the tape thing just to be sure. It is doing really well right now. It doesn't seem to have a problem keeping up with the others. I put them in the brooder and they have been peeping ever since. I don't have a feather duster but may have to get one.