Newly hatched poult has twisted leg...what is it's chances?

[ma2babygurl13]

I have a little poult that after 30+ hours of trying on its own, I decided to help it out. One of its legs is twisted, and so is its foot. I have yet to see it stand, it has been out of the shell for about 4 hours and is completely dry. What is it's chances of surviving, or am I just prolonging the inevitable? I will try to get a pic soon.

 

[KOTurkeyRanch]

mine was like this...tape its legs together about an inch and a quarter apart overnight for the first nights. it should help. mine can walk a bit and i decided im not going to do this anymore ill wait it out for its legs to get stronger.

it seems they cant walk as good on their bedding as they can on actual grass.

 

[ma2babygurl13]

A link to the post with pics....

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=2533851#p2533851

 

[chickygirl2]

I would try to straighten the toes out[adhesive tape or bandaid] as well as splint the legs together. Time will tell if it will make it and if it will be able to stand and walk. When they have leg deformities , sometimes they can't hatch well.

 

[chickygirl2]

Actually, does the whole leg point in a different direction? If so, I would not tape it together as the bones grew incorrectly. I do have 1 polish like that who walks, but with a lot of difficulty,

 

[ma2babygurl13]

It flails so much I dont know if it is the whole leg or not. It is definitely twisted from the knee down, and the foot kinda curls funny...it is hard to describe, but it is definably not right, and I think that is why it cannot stand, it just flails around and scoots on its side. I just feel bad for it, and wonder if I should wait a while or go ahead and cull it

I really don't wanna just give up, but I dont want it to suffer either...

 

[chickygirl2]

Well, I guess it depends on what your feelings are on having handicapped poultry.
I have always made room for the "special" ones. We have had a blind duck, one legged chickens, as well as other special need animals. They generally need to be with less aggressive companions. I have kept them with baby poultry before to give them friends.
There are also people that cull any animal that has defects. I can understand that as well. I am just not of that camp.......
Good Luck with your little one....

 

[ma2babygurl13]

I have no problem with pets with handicaps I actually have a soft spot for them. I guess what I was trying to say, is if it doesn't have a chance at ever learning to get up, then it will never be able to eat and eventually will die, I don't want it to suffer. I don't want to cull it unless it has no chance at life, if that would be the case I don't want to prolong the ending...I hope this makes sense...basically if it can learn to walk(even if it is a hobble) I want to give it a chance, but if it has no chance on it, I would rather end it so it doesn't have to suffer.

 

[chickygirl2]

How is the little one today?

 

[ma2babygurl13]

still hangin on to life, I got up 3 times at night to check on it, and give it some drinks of water. It sure is a feisty lil one. I think I'm gonna try and prop it up with some paper towels or somethin to try and get it upright and off its side.