Runty chick

[Northernmichchick]

Could be RSS (Runting Stunting Syndrome). Search it... we had a chick with RSS who fully recovered.

Hello, it's been a really long time since you responded to this post. Not sure if you will even get this. I was trying to do some research because I have a chick that sounds very similar to meg and darren. I took in 2 chicks at 2 and 1/2 weeks old. One is so much larger than the other and they supposedly hatched together. The small one, winnie, has a splayed leg which I have also been trying to fix but I am wondering if I am trying to late?? She constantly pulls the splint off no matter how well I attach it. She can get around as she is but I'm concerned that if left untreated she will be picked on by the rest of the flock. Currently Winnie and her sibling are with my broody hen in the coop. They have their own enclosure, protected from the rest of the fact. Though my broody hen takes care I do think she would leave her behind if they were not in that enclosure. The full-sized chick follows my hen everywhere, whereas Winnie will sometimes stay put when the other two go eat. About 5 days ago I decided to bring Winnie in the house and wanted to give her more one-on-one attention and intervention however she seemed very stressed and I really felt that she needed the other chick connection. I only had her in the house for a couple of hours before I ended up relenting and taking her back. She chirped constantly and would not seem to settle. The temperature was appropriate for her age and I had attached a feather duster for her to snuggle up to. There are no veterinarians in my area within hours to take her to. I have tried calling different veterinary offices just for some advice but no one will give me any. I am not sure what to do at this point. Do I continue to try and splint splayed leg? Do I bring her in and try again despite the stress that it causes her to be separated from her sibling and Foster mom? I live in northern Michigan and it is also late fall. If I bring her in at this point, I am concerned about putting her back outside with a dramatic temperature change. Also to take her away and in the house at this point, when I introduce her to the flock later she would be alone and most likely picked on. I am new to chickens this spring so I really don't have a lot of knowledge to draw from. I would appreciate any advice. I do feel that Winnie wants to live and unless I felt she was suffering, it is not an option to me to put her down.