Questions for those of you with "special needs" chickens

[Happy Chooks]

What about that black foamy pipe insulation? It's not too stiff so it wouldn't chaff her, and already has the cutout for the pipe to put the leg in. It's pretty cheap, and I think it would work better than stryofoam. (which she may try to eat)

 

[Tsumo]

I have a buff/easter egger cross that just hatched. Its about 12 hours old and falls over all the time towards the left. It can stay uprught if it leans on something but everytime i see it uts on its back or laying on its left side. If i put it on its rught side she gets up no problem but flops over to the left. All the other chicks who have hatched after it are up and fluffy snd running around. This has beeb my worst hatch. Out of 28 eggs 7 or so have not even started to hatch. Today is day 23 and im not sure how long i should wait for them to hatch or not. When i candle evrything looks fine but one never knows i guess. What should i do about my little chickie who is off balance? Anyone else have experience with a chick like this? This is not my first go around with chicks or chickens ive raised them since i was a baby. Never had one like this before.

 

[fiberart57]

I'm no expert, but when Carmen had her problems I likened it to a sort of avian Cerebral Palsey. It happens with problems during incubation.

You might try building her a body brace out of a styrofoam cup. Cut it so that it's a bit shorter than she is and pad the top a bit. Have it go around her body just under the wings and behind the legs. this may help her strengthen the weak side.

Adjust water and food accordingly.

Good luck, Mary

P.S. Carmen is now four years old, very vocal and still limps around. But she's doing well.

 

[rookiefarmers]

I just wanted to think everyone for this thread. We have our little special needs girl... Caramel. She is my favorite, probably because I have spent so much time worrying, watching and taking special care of her. She has a sister who was the runt and they were added to our younger girls and momma'd them and now they all get along great. We are integrating them with the big girls and she holds her own. I think its strength in numbers. I do worry about what her twisted body will do when its time to start laying but until then, I will help her in and out of the coop and give her extra love. Thanks for the encouragement this thread has given us. We love her so much and hope she keeps on keeping on.