New chick has stiff, curled toes; trouble walking

[OfWolvesAndHen]

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?

 

[Chickeria]

You can help your chick by making little shoes to help the toes straighten, here is a helpfull article:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/corrective-“shoes”-for-chicks.76391/
It is importand to place the toes in the position that would be the normal one, to do so it helps to orientate on the toenails.

 

[Chickeria]

There are several possibilities of materials to make such a shoe with.
The foot can recover fully if it is done correctly.
Best wishes for your little one

 

[OfWolvesAndHen]

There are several possibilities of materials to make such a shoe with.
The foot can recover fully if it is done correctly.
Best wishes for your little one

Thanks! I've had a few others suggest shoes as well so looks like that's the best course of action. He's very squirmy, so this should be fun...

 

[Chickeria]

Oh and there is also the possibility of a slipped tendon and splayed leg.
It would be helpfull if you could post pictures or a video from your little one.
Here is a helpful article about splayed leg:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/how-we-correct-splayed-legs-on-new-chicks.72873/

 

[Chickeria]

Thanks! I've had a few others suggest shoes as well so looks like that's the best course of action. He's very squirmy, so this should be fun...

Yes it can be difficult. Do you have somebody there to help you?

 

[OfWolvesAndHen]

Oh and there is also the possibility of a slipped tendon and splayed leg.
It would be helpfull if you could post pictures or a video from your little one.
Here is a helpful article about splayed leg:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/how-we-correct-splayed-legs-on-new-chicks.72873/

See I tried to, but my phone's storage is so full I can't even attach a photo. I have sent photos to people I know personally however and they've said it doesn't look like either of those conditions to them. I'll have to do some extra research. They don't seem painful at all, though, and they're not stiff beyond the toes, which must be a good thing?

 

[Chickeria]

I hope that's a good sign but I can't tell.
Fingers crossed for your baby

 

[OfWolvesAndHen]

I hope that's a good sign but I can't tell.
Fingers crossed for your baby

Okay... well, he really does NOT want to wear the shoes. He yanks his feet away and starts kicking every time!

He's supporting his weight and getting around well now, and the toes feel a bit less stiff, but they're still curled up.

I'm worried about stressing him, because he is really making sure I know just how he feels about the shoes. Lol

 

[OfWolvesAndHen]

I hope that's a good sign but I can't tell.
Fingers crossed for your baby

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