New chick, bad toe.

[Toby Forlenza]

Hi there, it's been about 9 years since I've had any chickens, but I've finally settled down again and have been plotting and planning and then yesterday on more of a whim the feed store had cucumarans and I couldn't resist. It was hard to reach into the brooder and required someone else be on the other side to send the chicks my way so I jus scooped up two and put them in a box as I got to the register i noticed one wasn't moving correctly so I asked if I could exchange it and then scooped up another and we were on our way. However today I noticed one of the little cuties has a middle toe/claw that is shrivled on the end and the rest of the toe is red. I know a chicken can live without a toe, but does this mean surgery? Or is this just cauterizing it?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Actually that blackened part will eventually fall off, and probably won't bleed too much. I have seen it with frostbite. Your poor chick obviously got it's toe stuck in something long enough for the tissue to die.

 

[Toby Forlenza]

Actually that blackened part will eventually fall off, and probably won't bleed too much. I have seen it with frostbite. Your poor chick obviously got it's toe stuck in something long enough for the tissue to die.

Yes, that was my thinking. I put some "everything balm" on it that I use on everything that's wrong on my body. It looks drier today and a little less infected. Her balance seems to be ok as well, so . Thanks for your feed back, I'll post another pic in a few days.

 

[chickens really]

You can just keep cleaning it with rubbing ancho twice a day....First I would clean it with Peroxide and that will clean out infection...Keep on clean bedding till it drys up and falls off....

 

[Toby Forlenza]

So, today not much difference. I did notice that the whole toe is fatter along its length. I looked back at the pics and it has been this way the whole time I just didn't notice till I looked at the bottom. Tried to put the bandaid "duck" foot thing on, but she started pecking and sister started pecking so, off it came. Eating, drinking, pooping, walking just fine, guess we just wait and see. Thanks for your help!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I always just leave them alone unless there's a problem.