Sick/injured chick?

[GoldenGrouse]

I picked up chicks yesterday that were three weeks old. I noticed one chick laid down most of the ride home, and had a limp when she’d stand. Occasionally she’d stretch out that leg or pick it up. She was otherwise alert, drank and ate well, and I didn’t notice any tenderness, abrasions or bruising in that leg.

The first day home, she’s limping less but is still laying down and sleeping most of the day. Still getting up to eat and drink, and will preen herself, peck shavings, and occasionally try to fly to the edge of the brooder. Just not as full of vigor as the other 3 chicks. She also does this gasping thing (not heat panting, just opening her beak then closing and working it like she’s tasting/swallowing something), accompanied with the occasional head shake. Her poops are normal, I’ll attach a photo of the only one that looks a little abnormal. Crop is functioning properly. Not particularly puffed up, just constantly laying down nodding off.

I have her separated from the others by a grate so she doesn’t get trampled and can heal her leg. There’s NutriDrench in the water. I’m just curious if anybody has any input on additional steps I can take to ensure she is on the right track to recovery, and what the gasping might be.

 

[Eggcessive]

I would dip her beak in water often and offer food while she is limping and not using the leg. Chicken slings can be helpful to get her in front of food and water while healing. If possible take a picture of her legs while she is standing (holding her up) so we can see if one leg looks different. Some chickens can have slipped tendons or leg bone deformities. Hopefully she is just sprained, but if she cannot get enough to eat she might fall behind in growth. Here is a link with pictures of chicken slings, so look through all pages.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/versions-of-chick-chairs-please.1166308/

 

[GoldenGrouse]

I would dip her beak in water often and offer food while she is limping and not using the leg. Chicken slings can be helpful to get her in front of food and water while healing. If possible take a picture of her legs while she is standing (holding her up) so we can see if one leg looks different. Some chickens can have slipped tendons or leg bone deformities. Hopefully she is just sprained, but if she cannot get enough to eat she might fall behind in growth. Here is a link with pictures of chicken slings, so look through all pages.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/versions-of-chick-chairs-please.1166308/

I rubbed a little vetrx under her wing and on her head incase she has a respiratory thing going on. She’s not limping nearly as much, eats and drinks regularly all on her own, just lays down whenever possible, or eats laying down. Seems to have a bit of a wider stance than the others, but also seems a little younger. I’d guess the pain is higher up on her leg, more under the wing, but I don’t have a trained eye. She also holds her wing on her bad side lower, as shown. Here’s plenty of photos