Need help FAST

[JLeigh]

One of my keets that hatched yesterday evening can't stand up. When I help it stand up, it just falls back down again and struggles to get back up. Can't seem to do it. I really want to do everything I can to save it if possible.

I've been searching for the info PeepsCA has on taping splayed legs, and the "keet cup therapy" info, but I can't find it anywhere. Can anyone link me to it? Or a good image and description of how to help this poor thing?

THANKS

 

[Fishbone]

I just searched for splayed feet about a half hour ago.
Here's one:
http://thebreed.yuku.com/topic/367

Do a Yahoo or Google search, lots of info.

Does your chick look like this?
Or is it just siting down?
Is it eating/drinking?

 

[JLeigh]

Hi, Fishbone - that was an EXCELLENT site, and I've put it in Favorites so I can access it again. The keet I have doesn't have splayed legs - although it's hard to tell. The keet seems to be unable to put its right leg up under itself, and as a result simply falls over to the right. It really can't even stand.

I've been dipping its beak in water, and it seemed to take a few drinks, so I'll do that every couple of hours. Can't get it to eat yet, but then it hasn't been 24 hours since it hatched. It peeps and wiggles and seems to be alert, but of course it falls asleep in 1/2 a second. I've been keeping the temp just a little higher than 95 (like 98-ish) for what I hope will provide good supportive care.

One of the pictures in the link you sent showed a "hobbled" chick - where the brace was put up close to the body of the chick rather than below its hocks. I'm wondering if that would work.

PeepsCA has a "keet in a cup" therapy that I've been trying to find, to help stabilize a keet's legs under its body. I think that's what it does anyway.

So...Peeps - when you wake up....HELP!!!! I sure could use some help.

FYI, this is the CUTEST keet (aren't they all?) It has a white down body with what seems so far to be a broad silver stripe on its head and down its back. I WANT TO SAVE THIS KEET IF I CAN. I'm guessing it's a Lavendar, but of course, I ain't no expert. Pictures to follow later this afternoon.

Thanks Fishbone. That was the best site I've seen for bracing legs. I've already had to straighten toes in a previous hatch, and I used Peeps' "electrical tape" method, and it worked like a charm.

Wish this keet luck!

 

[Fishbone]

Good luck J.
The bandaid works because just when the keet is able to stand on it's own, the bandaid begins fail!
It may need it again depending on the chick.

Keep searching, there was another site that mentioned the cup trick.
Warm the cup, bandaid the chick and put it in in the cup!

Peeps in Ca...time delay for us early risers!!

 

[KrisH]

Good luck J.
The bandaid works because just when the keet is able to stand on it's own, the bandaid begins fail!
It may need it again depending on the chick.

Keep searching, there was another site that mentioned the cup trick.
Warm the cup, bandaid the chick and put it in in the cup!

Peeps in Ca...time delay for us early risers!!

I think it is the 7th post down the page

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...-eggs-to-hatching-them-updated-frequently/230

RobertH

 

[JLeigh]

Thanks so much everyone. The little keet is a Coral Blue (YAY!!) and because of the helpful links you all sent so quickly, the keet has improved to almost normal. Still a little clumsy, but doing GREAT, and I think it will be just fine in another day - maybe two. I put these links in "Favorites" so that next time I'm not in a panic.

Also, I have 13 just-hatched keets in the hatcher, with about 8 more pipped. This is wonderful. I should end up with about 23 keets. WOOHOO!!

 

[KrisH]

I'm glad it is doing better, I have also added it to my favorites afterhaving looked it up and finding it.

I want to thank Peeps for helping everyone here, and especially for our success(so far) with our flock.

RobertH

 

[PeepsCA]

You are welcome Robert, nice to be appreciated I try to help people when/where I can to make life a little more tolerable with these difficult unwillingly domesticate wild birds, lol. My way isn't the only way, but what I suggest has worked for me....so I pass it along.

 

[JLeigh]

A follow up of the blue keet. It's completely healed! I put a band aid brace above it's hocks to keep that right leg close in to the body. It took a couple of days and lots of TLC for food, water and propping up, but it wasn't two and a half days before it was up and running around on its own. I knew when I stuck my hand in the brooder and it scurried up under the teddy bear to get away from me that it was going to be JUST FINE.

Thanks again everybody. "The Wobbler" needs a new name now!

 

[Fishbone]

Good to hear that.
They heal fast, I had 2 week old with a lump on it's toe joint, must of been there a while, layed about so much some belly feathers were gone.
Still eating/drinking, but only hopped, next day better, hopping but occationaly put it down, today, (3rd day) it's almost as fast as the others and has it's belly feathers back!