Splayed legs?....Any help appreciated!!

[scalaway]

Okay..just got 6 new Americauna/Easter Eggers--LOVE them to bits--they are beautiful , but one is having a little difficulty in walking---doesn't quiet look like it's legs are straight--but not sure if it's the stress of the "transfer" (just got them a few hours ago) -- or if it might have splayed legs? -- does anyone have a picture as to what that might look like in an older pullet? (she's about 4mth) -- can that even be something that can happen in an older pullet? I am wondering if it's from being in a fair type cage with wire bottoms?? Any advice would be great--I don't see any malformations or anything on the legs or feet--I did have to clean off hardened balls of "poo/bedding" off her toe nails--tiny balls, but they were cemented on and I had to use water to soften--Thanks for any help you can send my way

!! She's pretty, I don't want to have to lose this one, but I don't want anyone picking on her either--I've got her separated now--we'll see--Thanks All

!!

 

[scalaway]

bump

 

[threehorses]

First thing I would do because of the heat would be to give them all electrolytes in the water. It could be that the birds are just stressed.

BE SURE to quarantine them no less than 30 days please. I can't tell you the number of heartbreaking posts we read on here from people who cut the time short.

The reason for 30 days is that some diseases have a 21 day incubation period, add 4 days for the chicken to hide symptoms, and you have 30 days.

I'd also make them all a damp mash of boiled egg, some yogurt, crumbles, and pedialyte or water, maybe a little honey.

Check them all thoroughly tomorrow for mites, lice, etc. Treat with permethrin dust if you find anything like that. Check their weights (by feel, preferably by actual weight) and write it down somewhere.

What do you know about the birds? What diet have they been on? Have they been vaccinated for anything? What type of ground were they raised on? If they were raised on wire (see if you can ask) then you'll want to be careful introducing them to dirt ground.

I'd give all birds yogurt daily for 2 weeks, vitamins/minerals in the water for 2 weeks. Have some VetRx on hand. Maybe go ahead and buy some B-complex vitamins from the store (human vitamins pls), some polyvisol baby vitamins (non-iron fortified), and E vitamins (400-700 IU) to have on hand to boost immunity.

If you have tumeric (the seasoning) in your cabinet, you could try adding some of that on top of their feed to boost their immune systems during the difficult time of transition.

Boosting their immune systems will go a long way towards making it through the 30 days. In the mean time, could you possibly photograph the new girl? Is it possible her legs are just 'wonky' as we'd say, not straight? They can be like that. Is she having a hard time walking? She might have been bumped around or injured in transit - highly likely.

The hardened balls of poop on her feet tell me that she wasn't kept in very clean conditions. I'd consider worming them in a couple of weeksk when they settle in - with Wazine, then in 2-4 weeks use ivermectin pour on, or fenbendazole, or something therelike that kills the larva not just adults of roundworms.

I hope they work out well for you. Pictures would be nice not just from a diagnostic standpoint, and helping you keep track of how they progress, but ....

because we just love chickens here!

I admit it - I'd like to see your new babies!

p.s. You'll want them all on grower, or starter/grower, or game grower until their combs start to redden and get larger. Then you can slowly integrate laying feed for them, and start to offer oyster shell. By the way, get some "chick grit" and slowly introduce that to them this week. It helps birds gain weight better and will prevent future problems if they get hold of something more solid.

 

[scalaway]

thank you thank you thank you

-- I'm hitting the store in the am to stock up -- we got a total of 6 chickens (Americaunas--or just plain old easter eggers

_) -- They are gorgeous--but this one just isn't doing so well-- I never put her in my regular coop--makes me nervous--I'll get pictures tomorrow--another little thing, her poo is orange??? Could that be what she was eating or is that a "sick thing" too? My other birds don't have that "flavor"

-- I'm going to try to boost her little immune system--did do the tumeric thing on her crumbles--she's eating and drinking, her eyes are clear--just seems "weak" and can't walk for very long distances--like it is just too much work---weird....Anyways---thanks for the advice

! It's much appreciated--I hate putting a chicken down just because it isn't "right" -- I feel better after I've tried everything I can!! Thanks again so much

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