My little baby chick can't walk!

[alawson]

We just started hatching chickens and they are two days old. One of them I took under my care because it has one leg slightly out to the side. It cannot walk or even get up on it's legs. All it can do is kinda roll around. I don't think it is splayed leg because I taped its legs together and it still will not sit up. It just lays on it's side. I haven't seen it eat much and I compared the bottoms of its feet to the other chicks and the only difference is one of the toes on both feet isn't spread quite as far out. Any suggestions as to what it could be? Help is very much appreciated. Thank you.

 

[PoultryPedia]

It might be a slipped Achilles tendon. There is some info on that on the Podiatry page on the site linked in my sig.
Best wishes with your little chick!

 

[alawson]

Thank you! I looked at the information on your page and I'm not sure that it is the Achilles. The information said the chick can't extend its leg on its own. The chick can extend its leg on it's own, it just can't stand or put weight on it. I also noticed today that its anus is very swollen. What could this be?

 

[captainmommy3]

Mine has kind of done that she can extend her leg, she will even stretch her leg when she gets up but she limps on it a lot i am not sure why?? she is healthy other than that and i have noticed no swelling or redness to suggest injury or anything other than maybe a sore or pulled muscle. My chick is 1 week old BTW. Sorry i cant help.

 

[PoultryPedia]

alawson-- Ouch! It sounds like your chick has another painful problem going on, too. Have you noticed if it can poop for sure? If not, it may need its vent gently lubricated & maybe try to clear anything trapped in the "exit" section???

captainmommy3 -- Do you think your chick might have Splayed Leg?

 

[captainmommy3]

I don't think so, its not real bad and it hasn't been that way the whole time this just happened a few days ago. She seems to be getting better too so i think one of her brooder mates have hurt her, or they have started to try and fly a little around the box and maybe she did that and hurt herself. i am not sure but after today and seeing that she is standing alot more and running better i am not really worried.

 

[alawson]

SpeckledHills- I noticed that he hadn't been and I read that running his bottom under warm water could help. I tried and it has seemed to help. I also made a vitamin water mix of a b complex choline pedialyte and sugar. I think he might have twisted leg. I read that it has similar symptoms as splayed leg but only in one leg but it is caused from vitamin choline deficiency. I started giving him the vitamin water and a couple hours ago he has started sitting normal and can hobble around a little bit. He is still very weak and won't eat without help but he is much better.

 

[PoultryPedia]

SpeckledHills- I noticed that he hadn't been and I read that running his bottom under warm water could help. I tried and it has seemed to help. I also made a vitamin water mix of a b complex choline pedialyte and sugar. I think he might have twisted leg. I read that it has similar symptoms as splayed leg but only in one leg but it is caused from vitamin choline deficiency. I started giving him the vitamin water and a couple hours ago he has started sitting normal and can hobble around a little bit. He is still very weak and won't eat without help but he is much better.

Hooray!!

I hope his leg keeps improving. That's good you're giving him some vitamins that might be a helpful solution.

It sounds like you have done some good research & are really giving him some careful care.

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captainmommy3 - Thank you for sharing the update. I always like hearing how things turn out. Very glad your chick is doing better!!!

 

[ChickenCary]

What was your out come of this chick? I have a chick that is doing the same exact thing! Seems very healthy, just can't stand. It will put pressure on its legs against my hand, but will not stand. Just lays on its side and kicks around. I am really trying, another one i thought was like this and I got it to walk. This, one isn't grasping the idea. Is 2 days old.

 

[Eggcessive]

Make sure the chick on on non-slippery surface (pine shavings, rubber mat, or paper towel), not on newspaper which can cause leg problems. Placing the chick in a small teacup with a paper towel for gripping may help it to learn to stand. You might look at splay leg treatment with a bandaid.