!! Urgent but not life threatening !! Chick shoes -- ever too soon?

[pepperkorn67]

Sorry I've been searching but I'm frantic - you guys are wonderfully patient!!

A chick had trouble hatching and she;s out but her toes didn't develop properly (we had to unzip the shell for her - malpositioned) She didn't have enough resistance to get her toes formed right - I could tell as she was kicking out of her shell.

she's hours old -- maybe 6 at most. I can set her on them straight but she poops out and sleeps and can't get up straight thereafter.

Chick shoes sound perfect but is it ever too soon to tape them on?

 

[evemfoster]

I would wait. If its only problem is the toes you can help it to feed and water until its stronger and can get around by itself. Chick starter can be hard for small chicks to eat instant oat meal is easier for them to eat feed a little on the side for the first couple days. When the chick isn't sleeping at the drop of its beak it should start getting around better. I have seen chickens without any toes at all walk around on the stump doing just fine.

 

[iwiw60]

You should find this very helpful with your problem:

http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/02/spraddle-leg-in-baby-chicks-what-is-it.html

 

[pepperkorn67]

She just has curled toes not splayed legs luckily. If I can get her to stand up well her toes do straighten out - but it's a little bit of a catch 22. I'm giving her a rest for now. Maybe physical therapy will help.

 

[iwiw60]

You need to scroll down the page about half-way...there you will find info/fixes for curled toes.