Need advice for my unlucky little chickie

[rachelbware]

After nursing my poor Gladys through a broken toe at two days old I found her lethargic and floppy a couple of days ago. I thought at first it might have been vitamin deficiency so we hit the rehab pretty hard and she perked up and at least she's eating and drinking but after scouring the forum I think it may be Marek's. She has the classic split leg and unresponsive wing posture. I think it may have come from some hand-me-down chicken supplies. I washed them really well but I can't imagine how else she could have gotten it since she's indoors all by herself. She's about three weeks old and since she's my only chick I can take care of her. I bound her legs with sports tape so she would quit hooking them over her poor little wing and she seems more comfortable. If she continues to eat and drink is there any chance she will recover? If so how long until I can hope to see some improvement? I saved her from being culled and I really want her to live but if the prognosis is grim I wonder if it might be kinder to let her go. Any advice is appreciated.

 

[GitaBooks]

I'm sorry about your chick.

Chicks under 3 weeks can't get marek's, or so I've heard. She could have spraddle leg or perhaps another problem:

This is a great link that talks about marek's and other diseases similar to it.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq

We recently had to euthanize Amber, our sweet little bantam chick, who was around 4 weeks of age when she developed paralysis in her legs. She showed no signs of improvement after around a week and so, worried it was contagious, we put her down. It is sad, and we buried her in the field, but she would have just grown up unable to walk her whole life.
However, some birds with paralysis do heal!

I hope your chick gets better. Best of luck!