Midge had a short life, but she was a fighter. She was a Golden Cuckoo Marans pullet and about 1 1/2 months old. She had trouble from the beginning. She had spraddle leg early on. Her legs were braced and they seemed to straighten. Then they spraddled again. We tried all nature of braces, bandaids, tape, vet wrap, sponges with slots cut in them. I think that Midge was also a dwarf. He upper legs were abnormally short and set way apart. We finally realized one day when changing her braces that her legs kept spraddling because her weak leg was longer than the other. She was only about one third of the size of her hatch mates. Midge always ate and drank well. I knew her only hope at a normal life was to have somewhat straight legs so we continued to put braces on her. She was quite good at removing them and scooting around and injuring her hocks so I started bringing her to work with me so I could make sure she left them on. Yesterday, she sat contentedly in her bowl all day and seemed content to let me and my co-workers dote on her. This morning she looked good, but wouldn't eat or drink. She drove to work with me like usual and even peeped at the Johnny Cash songs on the CD. She particularly liked "A Boy Named Sue" it seems. She was sitting on my desk this morning and appeared to have a series of seizures and passed away. I suspect that Midge had some internal or neurological deformities as well as her leg and size deformities.
I guess that's part of raising chicks. On the plus side, Midge's 4 hatch mates are doing well. Her brother, Scamper, is a particular little snot that always grabs my hand when I change the food or water. He's like a little pitbull. Yesterday, he pinched my finger and clamped on so hard the he lifted up in the air as I pulled my hand out.
I guess that's part of raising chicks. On the plus side, Midge's 4 hatch mates are doing well. Her brother, Scamper, is a particular little snot that always grabs my hand when I change the food or water. He's like a little pitbull. Yesterday, he pinched my finger and clamped on so hard the he lifted up in the air as I pulled my hand out.
