My day old chick won't walk!

[alphazimbo]

So, here is my new dilemma - my little premature guinea keet isn't showing any signs of being able to walk properly and it is exhausting her/himself *trying* to walk. I've looked at the string of posts about splinting legs here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=233072 and I've looked at the website about "spraddle legs" here: http://www.poultryhelp.com/spraddle.html but I don't know which one is more applicable...Basically what he/she is doing is try to walk, leaning on it's hocks when standing and then falling over to one side....Here are some photos.....Any and all advice would be appreciated...

 

[bantybev]

Just saw a website today about foot and leg problems, as I have one with symptoms also. Thought your looks, sounds like maybe "Achilles Tendon Out Of The Groove" article halfway down the page. Yours doesn't seem to have the "splayed legs out to the sides. Here's the link if you would like to see the article:

http://www.guineafowl.com/fritsfarm/guineas/problems/

Good luck with the little guy. I am not having such good luck with mine so far

 

[MissJenny]

From what I've seen of spraddle (sprattle?) leg, the legs tend to be splayed off to the side or to stick straight behind... this chick's legs look "normal".

Since you say this one is "premature" (did it hatch early, was it helped, did the egg get cracked?) anyway, what are the chances that it has a vitamin deficiency? Do you have access to children's poly-vi-sol WITHOUT iron? A little scrambled egg? Yogurt?

And by "day old" Did it hatch yesterday? Or today? If today then give it a few hours to get it's bearings. It looks like it's eyes are closed -- or is that just an anomoly of timing?

Definitely consider vitamins. Has it had anything to drink?

Jenny

 

[alphazimbo]

Hello Jenny,

To answer your question about it being premature - here is the thread I started related to that (it's been a stressful couple of days! Self-inflicted, though): https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=308826

As for when it hatched, it hatched about 12 hours ago and it's eyes are generally open and it's pretty alert, very chirpy considering the circumstances. I've just given it some VERY weak sugar water as well some plain water - I'll try a little yogurt now. I don't know if we have poly-vi-sol here as I am in New Zealand. Oh, and it did absorb the yolk, which is good!

And bantybev, thank you for the link - if it doesn't perk up from drinking then I will have to try some of the things in that link. I really hope your little keet perks up!

Thank you for all your help Jenny and Bev!

Tanya