New Chick, Curled Feet

[NEHorse]

Okay this will be the first chick I have hatched out myself, so I'm not sure if this is common or not. The chick hatched out this morning around 10am.

It is 6pm now, and its still dragging a small piece of the egg (yolk?). And its not walking well - its feet are curled, and I've yet to see them actually straighten out. He just hobbles around right now. He's in with an older chick that escaped the coop from outside. Trying desperately to keep up with the other, but just can't.

Is this normal, or something I should be doing something about? If the latter, how exactly do I go about helping those feet?

 

[sweety13]

Try cutting a piece of index card to the shape of the foot just small enough for the claws to overhang front and back and gently tape it onto the foot, I had a chick with a curled foot that couldn't get up and after this she learned to walk! Change it every other day and see what happens! Good luck!

 

[NEHorse]

I'm assuming I just use vet wrap, as tape?

 

[NEHorse]

I tried, and tried. And I just couldn't figure out how to wrap those feet up. :/

 

[SierraView]

I use the flexible tape Band-aids and cut the tape parts off the Band-aid. It's easier if someone holds the chick for you and i stick a piece of the tape on the bottom of the foot. The reason I like this tape is its not to sticky but sticky enough, I can then peel each toe and sick it down strait the way I want it. Then I take the other tape I cut off the Band-aid and stick it on top the foot, this sticks each toe in place. Almost done, take the scissors and cut around the edges being careful to not cut any toes or toenails.

I leave it on a couple days and it sometimes is almost falling off. Toes might need to be redone a second time but most times they fix in a couple days and toes are perfect.

 

[NEHorse]

Here's my little gimpy leg kid. Its now not just curled feet - seems he doesn't use that leg at all. Scoots on his bottom. I really don't know what to do.

On a more positive note, here are some more pictures to lift the mood.

This guy was actually hatched outside with the hens, but he was getting out of the coop and I worried that cats would get him, so he''s keeping my little gimp company.



And here's the newest....

 

[SierraView]

If you tape the foot like I posted that foot can be normal. It will start walking better as soon as its taped. I don't try and use cardboard or cards for the bottom its to slippery. If you don't fix it when it gets older it will get worse and you will have to cull it.

 

[NEHorse]

Here's my attempt. Baby screamed like I was pulling its toes off, so I figure a little is better than nothing, and I can do a bit more straightening tomorrow.

 

[NEHorse]

He's gone downhill, and I think its time to end his suffering, but I don't know how.