More Chicks with problems

[hooligan]

Ok so something was telling me to go to Atwoods again today and I found 4 chicks that all had problems moving, so I brought them home.
#1 is an Asst. Heavy and one of his leg joints is red and swollen and I think that is why he can't even get up. He tries to use his other leg but falls over. I think it might be broken. Anything I can do for it? A splint?
#2 and 3 Not sure, asst pullets (white) Both are lethargic and just huddled down.
#4 California White Leghorn standing but having trouble getting around.

I have fed them all egg yolk and scrambled them and egg, gave started crumbles and water. Only one has drank but none have eaten anything but the yolk I gave them via dropper.

I gave the mgr of Atwoods my name and number so he could call me if there were any needy chicks that needed some extra care.

 

[ruth]

Hi Hooligan - if they are so weak that they are only eating egg yolk via dropper you'll need to feed them every hour - all night long - until they start to eat on their own.

It's kind of you to take the sick and weak chicks and try to help them. Sounds like one has a broken leg - not sure there's much you can do about that. I have one right now that was hatched 2 weeks ago with some sort of deformity - the knee is large and doesn't bend properly - is bent outwards. It too is hoping around on one leg. I'm torn on what to do but don't have the heart to kill it when it is eating and drinking. I do have it isolated with a couple of the smallest, quietest chicks so that the others don't bull doze it and it can get the rest it needs.

 

[ruth]

By the way, what is it with this Atwoods - are they taking care of the chicks they got in? Doesn't sound like it. You often have to "help" new hatchlings learn what to eat and drink and if they just got them in and left them there in a box with food and water, many may not have figured out what to do and have not eaten anything and have gotten too weak.

 

[mhoward92]

yea im afraid there is nothing you can really do about the bad leg. I personally would just put it with the smaller and calmer chickens in a small area with plenty of food and water. Feed it small doses of veggies and fruits with vitamins in them. and hope that it heals with bedrest. otherwise if it does not heal i would just put it out of its pain. its hard to do but if your leg was going to be broken the rest of your life im shure you would not have much fun.
Hope this helps and i hope he heals.

 

[sammi]

why not try giving the chick some aspirin in water? it might reduce the swelling.
if it doesn't, it might need an antibiotic for infection..
you could try making a hammock so the leg can rest..but if you do..make sure the vent is clear,, and it can reach food and water.

sounds like these chicks have been poorly tended at Atwoods, as Ruth posted.
they all need food, water and vitamins..and proper temperature in the brooder.
a little extra protein, such as cat food, or egg will help them recover.

watch the droppings..

 

[hooligan]

Ok so the two asst pullets are walking now...and eating the scrambled egg that I put in there. I think they should make it.
The CaliWhite probably won't make it til the morning. She is almost totally unresponsive. I gave her some more yolk and water but she is not doing well at all.
The asst heavy while his leg is not working right (made it stable with a bandaid) he loves the yolk from the dropper and tries to peck at it when I am holding him but he just hasn't seemed to figure out the water and cooked egg and crumbles. He chirps loudly if not held and settles down as soon as he's cupped in my hands. His leg that isn't working is larger than the other and darker. Not sure now if it broken or just bigger. The joint is large and red but it could be bc of the size difference. He keeps it tucked underneath him and it doesn't stretch out when he is stretched out.
Is it unhealthy to hold him most of the time when I am home?

 

[SpottedCrow]

The heavy guy could have a slipped tendon or a dislocation...

Holding your birds never hurts and it makes you feel good.

 

[mhoward92]

Nope holding him will not harm him. dont mind his noises. when i stroke mines backs they sound like im killing them. They are just unsure about what "attention" is right at this point. well mabe we are looking too far into it, mabe his leg is just "overgrown". as you said the swelling joints could be from it being overly large, the discoloration part is probabally a minor lack of circulation. Just keep doing what you are doing and mabe his other leg will catch up sooner or later. if he is eating that is good, his leg will not kill him. its if he stopped eating then you should be concerned. But all in all some birds just dont make it. I know you feel like a murderer when they do die but you have to remember that you did all you could to save them.

-- I wish him and yourself the best of luck on it

 

[Farmer Kitty]

Here is the asprin recommendations:
The usual dosage recommended on BYC is 5 regular (325 mg) aspirin (NO SUBSTITUTES) crushed and mixed with ONE GALLON of water.

It wouldn't hurt to try some and see if it helps. Good luck!

 

[hooligan]

Well this morning I got up and the two Asst pullets (which i need to name and I think they are Buff Orpintons-tho I could be wrong

) were running about and went crazy over the cooked eggs again this morning, were drinking fine...so I think they will make it okay.
I thought the CaliWhite was a goner this morning but I gave her some more yolk and she went for the water herself and was pecking at the crumbles when I left.
My little red boy was wiggling around and seemed happy for the lights int he living room to come back on but he wasn't wanting to eat very much so I have Lucas feeding him every few hours since he switched to 3rd shift and is home with them til I get there. I know you shouldn't have favorites but he is mine. I wish I could take him to work but he is very noisey and I think someone would catch on! So far he isn't trying to eat or drink on his own, just when I give it to him.
I am going to set up another brooder for the Cali white and the red boy since the girls are pecking ther both of them.