Please Help - poorly chick unable to straighten legs/feet

[traceyworthington]

It school we've had some eggs to incubate and hatch. One chick struggled to get out so we helped it but it was very dry and matted. My dad a country bumpkin (!) washed it and it seems to have picked up a bit but his feet are still curled with his toes and he walks funny, he's now 3 days old and still like this - the rest of the chicks are very healthy and fluffy. Is it unfarir to keep him alive or can he live a happy life like this - he is very vocal, we have fell in love with 'fighter' as he has become known and if he is Ok we will keep him/her not sure which he is as a family pet! Please advise if it is cruel or not to keep him alive - any advice gratefully received as this is all new to us! Thanks in advance, Tracey

 

[dfchaser]

you can get some card board and vet wrap and make a little chick splint. The idea is to manually straighten his toes so his body will get whats going on. If you do not do this, in my experience, the chicks feet will continue to curl until walking is a difficult task, and the bones will stick that way.

 

[traceyworthington]

Thanks will give it a try one leg looks splayed out so shall i do the bandaid thing the keep the legs toegther too?? I assume I'm not going to cause him/her anymore harm than if I do nothing??? It seems to be getting around on its knee joint. Should I do one at a time or all them together??? Thanks

 

[Cindiloohoo]

I'd get the feet straightened first and see if that helps with the splaying. I'm thinking it will correct that as well. We had a chicky like that and we superglued it's feet to cardboard "shoes" and it got better within a week. The glue will wear off in about 5-7 days and chicky will be like new

 

[MareeZoCool]

Quote:

You're such a smart chicken lover, Cindi!

 

[traceyworthington]

Fingers crossed as my boys and I have all become so attached. If he does survive is it wrong to keep him on his own and will he be happy??? Any advice on keeping him much appreciated too, I gather I can keep him in a cardboard box and a light on for 60 days is this right???? What do I need to feed him, have what the firm who gave us the eggs supplied at teh moment but that will run out?? Thanks guys I love this website already and only been a member for a couple of hours!!!

 

[tamelroy]

medicated chick starter