webbed toes, surgery

[Cruzin4us]

I forgot to take a before picture of the 2nd and 3rd toes that were completely webbed all the way to the nail. I thought about leaving them as is, but my poor little guy was trying to run and it was a funny but sad waddle...almost like a duck. He was 5 weeks old when I performed surgery.
He was washed with soap and water wand then wiped down with alcohol. We then held his foot tightly to a cutting board and I took box cutter/ exacto knife and i quickly starting on the top of the web and moving out to the nail made a quick slice. I did it fairly firmly, mostly because I didn't want to have to slice twice. Held a paper towel to the foot for about 1 min. There was very little blood.
Presto, it was that easy. I slathered some Neosporin on it (because that was the only thing on hand). I then took him back to his sleeping buddies hoping in 8 hrs there would be no blood and that the other chicks wouldn't notice it. He hobbled aroung like he had sore feet for 1 day, and now he's running around like the rest of them. I'm glad I did this.....:cd

 

[calboy147]

Wait until the chick has more developed toes. Wait till you can clearly see the web between the well-formed toes, and can make a cut that won't damage the toes. Clean the foot well with alcohol on a clean rag. Clean a good pair of scissors with alcohol. I used hair trimming scissors. Turn the chick upside down. It might help to have someone hold the chick for you. Cut between the toes. The surgery came out very well. It's kind of tough to tell which chicken had the problem. You want to cut far enough that the toes will separate enough, but don't get too carried away. It took time for the toe to start pointing out, but it will happen.

I have a 7 day old chick with a similar problem. One of her toes is on top of the other. Not sure if i have steady enuff hands to make such a precise cut though. Even if possible. My wife used to be a nurse may see if she is comfortable with it. Or may wait another week or two and see if she can roost well.

 

[Maddcatter]

Thanks for this. I noticed my 2 day old chick has webbed toes, and I might end up needing this info in a bit... I'm waiting to see if my chicken is actually impeded by the webbing.

Thanks guys!