Rescued Pet Store Chicks with dead foot/toes!

[Terri O]

They almost look like the feet were frostbitten. Not really possible around here right now...did the pet shop owner give you any info? Maybe they were doing experiments in a lab? It doesnt look like a deformity to me. Terri O

 

[hunterjumper999]

i had a couple of chicks like that from auction...

I used my plier type dog nail clippers and nipped off the gangrenous feet. Extreme i know but they are fine today and a little styptic powder and antibiotics and dilligent care ant they are fine.

 

[buteo4]

Thank you all for the support. The girls at the pet store said a man had incubated them and brought them in at 1 day old. She said she noticed a few days later that some of their toes "looked dead" and some were even bloody, and called him but niether he nor she knew what the problem was (and obviously didn't really care either to let it go on). Apparently she had sold a couple to a woman who was going to have a vet look at them and then call her back, but she never heard back from her.
I've heard of bumblefoot in chickens, but that is pretty uncommon and usually starts with a small injury or splinter. I don't think that would apply seeing as so many were afflicted. The only thing I can think of is that it was caused by the bedding they were in (it was pelleted and looked like hamster food). Perhaps it had a chemical in it or wasn't kept clean (it was pretty moist) causing the infections. I don't know...but I will keep you all posted!

 

[drumstick diva]

I wish you had reported that pet shop to the humane society. What they did to these chicks is horrible! The newspaper would have made a front page story out of it. I suppose they were gonna put them in the "bruised & abused" basket and mark them half price. I'm guessing they had 0 experience and just did eveything wrong in caring for them. I'm wondering if they caught some nasty bacteria from dirty, wet, improper bedding etc.and it caused gangrene.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

I seriously doubt it was the bedding. SOMETHING caused infection. Possibly something they were born with. I do not think it something the pet store caused, although their care does not seem knowledgable of chicks (lack of warmth). My first questions would be to the person who sold or gave them to the pet store, and the next would be when the chicks began developing foot problems.