spradle leg what to do?

[RedTailRanch]

I kept mine with the rest of the flock. It seemed to force her to move about more. Also, I have had several chicks that grew MUCH slower than the rest. It seemed like they were not growing at all sometimes. Then around 6 weeks they had a growth spurt and caught up with everyone else.

Hang in there. I know it's tough to see the little chick hobble-ing around. They will fall over a lot and have trouble, but it really will help them in the long run. Just like anything, it may take them some time to adjust. Try some of the different hobbling techniques found on this site until you find the one that's right for your chick.

 

[chickenshadow]

Quote:
I'd give her the run of the brooder or she will never develop any strength.
Leave the other one in there to motivate her. Keep the food and water close
by her so she can eat as much as possible. Move it away a little each day.

You are doing all you can do. She may have other issues you can't see.

Best of luck

 

[Alphagamchick]

Yes, thanks chickenshadow. I did that yesterday-took her out of the container and let her loose. I see her eat and drink but she is pretty wobbly. I was hoping I could save her as it is the only chick that I know for sure is from our white standard frizzle.

 

[chickenshadow]

Quote:
Keep the faith. She's still with you.

Here's what is going to happen:
1-She will just pass peacefully
2-She will start chirping a lot indicating distress or hunger at which point I recommend
culling.
3-She will slowly get stronger and live a long chicken life.

Even if she gets better she will be a runt for a while but that is ok. Some of my best
birds have been runts.

I'm telling you this hoping it will help you in your final decision but from what I read from
you here she seems like she has a good chance. These darn chicks get to your heart
don't they?

 

[Alphagamchick]

Chickenshadow,
Thank you for the kind words. I fear that we are losing our battle though. She can no longer stand up and just flutters around on her side. Poor baby is still strong when I pick her up and she has a great chirp. I see her eat but I help her to drink as I'm not sure she can do that on her own. When I checked on her this afternoon there was blood on her paper towel. Now she has a bloody toe. There is nothing sharp around her at all. I'm wondering if it is friction from her fluttering around on the paper towel. Her legs are completely useless. If I stand her up she will stand for a second and then fall over, legs stuck out. I'm afraid she is destined for chickie heaven. There is no quality of life for her. However, I can't bear to do it. My husband is out of town but I don't think he could do it either. I think I will have to call my chicken friend. He raises both meat and egg birds, plus he is a hunter. He won't think twice about it. He is a survival of the fittest kind of guy. I'm a save all animals kind of girl! I was hoping she would just pass peacefully.
The planets must have been out of alignment last week or something! I raised chickens as a teen, went off to college(my family thought I was going to be a vet because I was a critter kid but, would you believe, I went to Michigan State as a poultry science major-but graduated with a special ed. degree through a weird twist of the heavens) and now, 25 years later I finally live on property and can have my chickens again. I bought chicks and hatched as a kid and last spring, when I started our flock, I bought chicks and hatched 17. Ended up with over 50 birds. A month a go I hatched 35 and bought two chicks. Hatched 30some the past two days (I haven't counted yet, they're beautiful-all mutts from our flock but with the first 35 I ended up with some "Sizzles". What a nice surprise. ) Out of all those babies I have never had a spradle legged chick till now. In fact, I've never had a chick die till now. Also last week, I bought a buff silkie who, a few days after I bought him ,did the twisted neck thing and finally died. So in a weeks time I'll have two casulties. Guess I've been lucky all this time. It has been sad for my three little boys. I guess it's a good lesson in life for them.
Thanks.

Melanie

 

[chickenshadow]

Sorry Alpha. Poor little chickie.

You did what you could. This is the hard side of chickens.

You wrote "It's a good life lesson" and I couldn't agree more. The kids usually handle
this sorta thing better than the parent. I know my kid does.