Hello, all.
My grandmother had chickens when I was young and we loved them so much. But we normally got them at about 6 weeks old -- so I have never had young chicks.
We recently got Lavendar Orphingtons, Easter Eggers and Silkies. One of my Lavenders died within the first few days - she seemed fine and an hour later I found her face first in the bedding unable to stand. I moved her to her own box, gave her electrolytes and hand fed her but she passed that night. Yesterday, a silkie had the same thing happen.
Now - since day one I had one lavender that walked a little funny. But she could get around - she gets to the food and water, but then she likes to just lay down. I honestly (and stupidly) didn't think much of it - she wasn't getting picked on, and as I said she was eating and drinking so I thought maybe that was just how she was. Her legs didn't seem splayed before. Today, however, she barely moves, and when she lays she sometimes does so with one leg out. But then sometimes she will tuck that leg under her and lay normally. I don't know if it's splay leg that I didn't catch early enough and try to fix, if it is a slipped tendon or what to do to help her.
Today I have been picking her up and moving her to the water dish every hour and letting her drink her fill and she has eaten some too. I have attached a couple of pictures. I've moved her to her own box so she doesn't get stepped on. She is awake and alert and she isn't crying. Bedding is pine shavings, they have been fed chick starter from the day we got them with no treats. She's about 2 weeks old today.
I'm sure all of you wonderful people have been swamped by questions from newbie chick owners so I really appreciate anyone who reads this and answers. I don't want to loose her, or any more chicks.
ETA: I feel horrible that I didn't do anything about her walking earlier -- I really thought it wasn't a problem. I know that her legs and the other chicks deaths probably aren't related. I had read about proper bedding and food and heating for baby chicks and thought I was prepared for them. Now I feel like I'm in over my head and I just want to be the beset chicken parent that I can be.
My grandmother had chickens when I was young and we loved them so much. But we normally got them at about 6 weeks old -- so I have never had young chicks.
We recently got Lavendar Orphingtons, Easter Eggers and Silkies. One of my Lavenders died within the first few days - she seemed fine and an hour later I found her face first in the bedding unable to stand. I moved her to her own box, gave her electrolytes and hand fed her but she passed that night. Yesterday, a silkie had the same thing happen.
Now - since day one I had one lavender that walked a little funny. But she could get around - she gets to the food and water, but then she likes to just lay down. I honestly (and stupidly) didn't think much of it - she wasn't getting picked on, and as I said she was eating and drinking so I thought maybe that was just how she was. Her legs didn't seem splayed before. Today, however, she barely moves, and when she lays she sometimes does so with one leg out. But then sometimes she will tuck that leg under her and lay normally. I don't know if it's splay leg that I didn't catch early enough and try to fix, if it is a slipped tendon or what to do to help her.
Today I have been picking her up and moving her to the water dish every hour and letting her drink her fill and she has eaten some too. I have attached a couple of pictures. I've moved her to her own box so she doesn't get stepped on. She is awake and alert and she isn't crying. Bedding is pine shavings, they have been fed chick starter from the day we got them with no treats. She's about 2 weeks old today.
I'm sure all of you wonderful people have been swamped by questions from newbie chick owners so I really appreciate anyone who reads this and answers. I don't want to loose her, or any more chicks.
ETA: I feel horrible that I didn't do anything about her walking earlier -- I really thought it wasn't a problem. I know that her legs and the other chicks deaths probably aren't related. I had read about proper bedding and food and heating for baby chicks and thought I was prepared for them. Now I feel like I'm in over my head and I just want to be the beset chicken parent that I can be.
Attachments
Last edited:
