Week old chick needs help

[jandsferguson]

I hatched 4 silkies last week. The two whites both had bad feet (curled toes). The one feet after shoes fixed. However the other had feet that were turned under as well as his feet. Neither did I have luck fixing with shoes. I was wondering if someone could help me with figuring out how to fix them. This is my first time having chickens with this problem. I am worried about him. He gets around but is slower than the rest. And he isn't deficient in riboflavin. Any and all help would be great.

 

[oesdog]

Hope this helps -

https://sites.google.com/a/larsencreek.com/chicken-orthopedics/leg-braces

THis link has been very helpful for us when we have had feet issues with our birds. Though I see it is outdated now? Give it a go anyhow you have nothing to lose.

Good luck - Oes

 

[jandsferguson]

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply. I love these little guys just like my 4 legged wolfdogs and my 2 legged children. I have been really worried about what to do with it or how to help it. It doesn't seem as tho it hurts but it has to. Again thank you so much. I will give it a shot.

 

[oesdog]

We have had a chicken with her foot pointing backwards and did the splint for her - but she had to stay off her feet for 3-6 weeks. It worked fine though she had a limp for the rest of her life. We also had a wild pheasent we "rescued" who had ligament injuries and the foot was pointing the wrong way. - He also survived and though had to be off his feet for 6-8 weeks (We put him in the cat basket.) He hated it and spat a deal but again it worked and we were able to let him back into the wild.

It takes time and they don;t always like to co-operate much but if you can get the little guys off their feet and into one of the tub chairs they show you might stand a chance of correcting the fault. - I is probably that the little feet were curled up in the egg and developed like this. Some chicks are born this way so it is not uinusual. As the bones are young and manipulatable you are more likely to get the feet into a functional possition. I hope it goes well for you. Lots of love and patience and plently of treats. You can supliment the diet with liquid infant vitamins BUT make sure there is NO iron in it as this poisons chickens.

Good luck with the chicks

Oes