New chick has stiff, curled toes; trouble walking

[Chickeria]

Well, I got them on, but the toes curled right back up underneath them. They won't flatten out to be taped individually. D:

I'm so sorry it is so difficult. When they curl back up underneath it it won't help. They need to be 'flattened out' in the normal pose... What materials do you use? Do you have painter tape at your place?

 

[Chickeria]

...I'm heading to bed now (different time zone here).
If you do have painter tape by hands you could try this: stick a bit on the top of your hand and tear it off again - if this goes easy and doesn't hurt I think you can use it for the foot. Take a piece about the size of the outspread foot and place it sticky side upside on a table. Have a second piece same size ready. Take your chick and make it stand with the foot on the sticky piece on the table. Gently adjust the toes in their normal position, orient on toenails (they have to be positioned in the position and angle they would have if the toe was not curled). If they are all spread out well/normally/in natural position sticking on the tape take the second piece and lay it over the foot, sticky side down. Gently push so both pieces (with foot inbetween) stick together. If the shoe is too big you can take a scissor and CAREFULLY cut in form (toes and nails have to be fully covered!) Shoe should be changed the next day (feet are growing), soak the tape in water if needed to get it off easier and not to hurt the tiny foot. If chick takes off shoe, make a new one. Check every day. When the toes have normalized shoe is no more needed (can already be in two days).

 

[Jenessa_09]

He seems healthy otherwise, but his toes are still and curled up. He was malpositioned in the egg (pipped at narrow end) and I had to help him hatch at around 2PM today as it had been over 12 hours since he unzipped, with continuous struggling to hatch. He's very active, he wants to move around, but he's struggling.

He seems to be walking on his heels as well, but I'm not sure if that's a side effect of being newly hatched or because his toes are curled, or if it's a separate issue.

Is there anything I can do to help him out?

This is the EXACT thing that happened to me, this was yesterday! We put bandaid’s on the chicks feet(straightened them out first) then put a rubber band between his legs. The next day we woke up, took all the stuff off and he is one happy healthy chick!! Hope this helps!!

 

[OfWolvesAndHen]

...I'm heading to bed now (different time zone here).
If you do have painter tape by hands you could try this: stick a bit on the top of your hand and tear it off again - if this goes easy and doesn't hurt I think you can use it for the foot. Take a piece about the size of the outspread foot and place it sticky side upside on a table. Have a second piece same size ready. Take your chick and make it stand with the foot on the sticky piece on the table. Gently adjust the toes in their normal position, orient on toenails (they have to be positioned in the position and angle they would have if the toe was not curled). If they are all spread out well/normally/in natural position sticking on the tape take the second piece and lay it over the foot, sticky side down. Gently push so both pieces (with foot inbetween) stick together. If the shoe is too big you can take a scissor and CAREFULLY cut in form (toes and nails have to be fully covered!) Shoe should be changed the next day (feet are growing), soak the tape in water if needed to get it off easier and not to hurt the tiny foot. If chick takes off shoe, make a new one. Check every day. When the toes have normalized shoe is no more needed (can already be in two days).

The difficulty is his toes are SO stiff they're just about impossible to flatten out. Even when straightened, they're still arched. Not sure what to do, I'm asking some irl friends for help.

The good news is he's active, engaging with his siblings, pooping normally and drinking water. No interest in food yet, but he only just hatched today. He's standing fully upright now and walking around well---as well as a few hours old chick can walk.

So with that in mind, I'm not too worried; my buddy said he just might turn out to be a little Lieutenant Dan. Haha

 

[OfWolvesAndHen]

This is the EXACT thing that happened to me, this was yesterday! We put bandaid’s on the chicks feet(straightened them out first) then put a rubber band between his legs. The next day we woke up, took all the stuff off and he is one happy healthy chick!! Hope this helps!!

How difficult was it for you to straighten your little guy's feet out? I don't want to be too forceful---his toes are REALLY stuck!

 

[Chickeria]

The difficulty is his toes are SO stiff they're just about impossible to flatten out. Even when straightened, they're still arched. Not sure what to do, I'm asking some irl friends for help.

The good news is he's active, engaging with his siblings, pooping normally and drinking water. No interest in food yet, but he only just hatched today. He's standing fully upright now and walking around well---as well as a few hours old chick can walk.

So with that in mind, I'm not too worried; my buddy said he just might turn out to be a little Lieutenant Dan. Haha

Yeah I read sometimes it gets normal with time by itself. Hopefully it will be so in case of your dear little chick
If they are too stiff perhaps it could be dangerous to try to flatten them out, they are so tiny, perhaps they could break...I don't know, I'm sorry.

 

[OfWolvesAndHen]

Yeah I read sometimes it gets normal with time by itself. Hopefully it will be so in case of your dear little chick
If they are too stiff perhaps it could be dangerous to try to flatten them out, they are so tiny, perhaps they could break...I don't know, I'm sorry.

That's what I think too. They don't seem to be bothering him, and they actually look a little better than they did when he first hatched. Maybe he'll sort himself out; if not, at least they don't seem to be bothering him! I don't want to risk hurting his little toes if they aren't bugging him in the first place.

 

[Chiknoodle]

He seems healthy otherwise, but his toes are still and curled up. He was malpositioned in the egg (pipped at narrow end) and I had to help him hatch at around 2PM today as it had been over 12 hours since he unzipped, with continuous struggling to hatch. He's very active, he wants to move around, but he's struggling.

He seems to be walking on his heels as well, but I'm not sure if that's a side effect of being newly hatched or because his toes are curled, or if it's a separate issue.

Is there anything I can do to help him out?

He’s probably splayed. I am sorryHope he gets better!!!

 

[Buffy Brahma Mama]

This could be caused by the malposition, or an injury after hatch.

But it could also be caused by a vitamin B2 (riboflavin) deficiency. I would give vitamin electrolyte water immediately to try to correct the deficiency, as it is possible to reverse it if caught early. It won't hurt at least.

It could have been caused by a deficiency in the parents as well. Even something as simple as feed that was stored too long can cause it.

Even if its an injury, you have some time to try to correct it (or have a vet attempt to correct it). If you try the foot brace route, you'll have to inspect it and adjust every two or three days, as chicks grow so fast.

Pics definitely would help though. But try the vitamin water. Several hatcheries sell the mix as well as feed stores.

 

[Chickeroonie keeper]

He seems healthy otherwise, but his toes are still and curled up. He was malpositioned in the egg (pipped at narrow end) and I had to help him hatch at around 2PM today as it had been over 12 hours since he unzipped, with continuous struggling to hatch. He's very active, he wants to move around, but he's struggling.

He seems to be walking on his heels as well, but I'm not sure if that's a side effect of being newly hatched or because his toes are curled, or if it's a separate issue.

Is there anything I can do to help him out?

I had a little hen with this same problem. Videos are really helpful, and I fashioned little shoes out of cardboard and tape