My chick has feet problems.

[Egg Snatcher]

My very tiny bantam has crooked toe. She is only 9 days old. I tried the tap. It doesn't work. It comes of and I do it every day of retaping. She is in with a meat/naked neck cross.

 

[LastLegacy]

What kind of tape were you using? Was it only a tape dressing or did you use cardboard/other supplies as well?

 

[Egg Snatcher]

I am using painters tape. I tried the cardboard but it was to heavy for the tiny chick.

 

[Eggcessive]

Have you given any vitamins to the chick? Riboflavin (B2) can be helpful, and can be found in human B complex tablet mixed with water, Poultry Cell vitamins, and human liquid baby vitamins without iron. Here is a picture of a chick shoe:

 

[LastLegacy]

I am using painters tape. I tried the cardboard but it was to heavy for the tiny chick.

Since the painters tape isn't staying long enough, you may have better luck using a bandaid.

 

[Egg Snatcher]

Since the painters tape isn't staying long enough, you may have better luck using a bandaid.

Since the painters tape isn't staying long enough, you may have better luck using a bandaid.

Ok I'll try a bandaid. I probably won't give the chick mess because may chicken are organic and I am try to keep them that way.

 

[coach723]

Sports tape may also work, if a bandaid doesn't. I would also do the vitamins as recommended. Riboflavin deficiency is a common cause for curled toes and is correctable if treated early. Riboflavin deficiency can start while they are developing in the egg. What did you mean by

I probably won't give the chick mess

Vitamins will not make them non-organic.

 

[Egg Snatcher]

Sports tape may also work, if a bandaid doesn't. I would also do the vitamins as recommended. Riboflavin deficiency is a common cause for curled toes and is correctable if treated early. Riboflavin deficiency can start while they are developing in the egg. What did you mean by

Vitamins will not make them non-organic.

I probably won't give the chick medicain Sorry the IPad thinks you typ the wrong thing in and will cahange the words. Thanks for the help, I'll update on if her foot gets better.

 

[Egg Snatcher]

How long should I leave the bandaid on the her foot? Thank for the help, I really appreciate it.

 

[coach723]

If this is a riboflavin deficiency, then taping alone may not correct it. With supplementing and taping, you will often see improvement in a few days. It really depends on cause. Supplementing will not do any harm in any way, and could possibly save the bird. If you are unwilling to supplement with a b complex, then you can try offering foods that are rich in riboflavin, but as young as the chick is it may be unwilling to eat them.
This is from this link:
https://sites.google.com/a/poultrypedia.com/poultrypedia/poultry-podiatry
Increase Riboflavin for Curled Toes

• In Curled Toe Paralysis (also called Curly Toes), chick walks on tops of curled toes & toenails (vs. Twisted Toes, in which young or old bird walks on sides of twisted toes). Chick will become unable to stand, and often rest or try to walk on hocks to relieve pain of toes.
  
• Caused by Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) deficiency.
  • If caused by chick diet (feed that is out-of-date, formulated poorly, or not formulated specifically for chicks), toes start curling within 1-2 weeks.
  • If caused by diet of mother hen (such as solely Layer Feed--without access to Riboflavin-rich foods such as certain greens, etc.), toes start curling within a couple days of birth.
• IMMEDIATELY increase Riboflavin in chick's diet. Give supplement or multi-vitamin drink with high Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), or Riboflavin-rich foods such as paprika, dried coriander, spearmint, parsley, ground almonds or sesame seeds (you can grind these with a hammer), dry roasted soy (NOT fresh soy), Romano or Swiss cheese, some types of fish (Mackerel, Atlantic Salmon, Trout), etc.
  • If treatment started within couple days of chick being unable to stand, toes will straighten within a few days usually.
  • If treatment started later, toes may not recover & bird may need to be put down or die within 3-4 weeks.
  • Chick Shoes (see below) might also help.
    

Chick Shoes for Twisted or Curled Toes

• CAUTION: A chick wearing Chick Shoes can easily drown if it stumbles near a water container. See "Prevent Drowning in Water Dish"section.
• Use for splinting and correcting Twisted Toes, or sometimes to help with Curled Toes. (With Twisted Toes, an adult or chick walks on sides of twisted toes. With Curled Toes, a chick walks on tops of curled toes.)
• Cut out a small, flat triangle a little larger than the size that the chick's foot should be when toes are spread. Position each toe correctly and then use a small piece of sports tape to tape the toe to the cardboard.
  • Triangle be cut from sponge, thin cardboard/paperboard or a piece of a plastic lid from something like a sour cream container.
  • Illustrations that can be adapted for chicks or older birds are posted at http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/710778/deformed-claw-unable-to-fix-now-what.
• A different type of chick shoe splint can be made from pipe cleaners (or flower arranging wire and thin padding, for older chickens).
  • Instructions for this kind of chick shoe and also a half chick shoe at http://www.unitedpeafowlassociation.org/PeachickOrthopedics.html
    • Recommendation: Use sports tape instead of duct tape.
• If treating young chick: Important to put on new shoe at least every 1-3 days while feet growing fast.The chick will likely need to wear the shoes a total of 4 days to 2 weeks, depending on the severity of the problem
  • Make sure shoe size increased regularly so foot doesn't outgrow shoe. Toe Taping (See below) may be better for treating some problems.
  • Notice and correct sooner if chick wiggles toe into wrong position, before deformities are caused.
• If treating older bird: You may want to treat moderately twisted toes if causing problems. Do not try to correct long-term, severely twisted toes. Bones, muscles & ligaments are mature & may not be able to be reshaped, or will change more slowly.
  • Aim for gradual reshaping.
  • Check regularly that there isn't too much debris sticking to shoe, & that toes haven't slipped loose.
  • Change the shoe at least every 4-7 days.The bird may need to wear the shoes and/or have its toes taped (See below) for 2-5 weeks.
• *Be extra sure to follow Special Note on Removing Tape from Legs, Feet & Toes instructions.