Week Old Chick with Eye Injury

[Wyorp Rock]

I'm sorry that you're having such a hard time.
Take a deep breath

Let's go through this.
I stole your photo from your other thread
Where this armoire sits, how much space can you have in front of it? Asking, because...can you add, a "run" in front of it.
Basically they are small chicks right now and do probably have some mobility limitations as well, but they can surprise you, they have wings after all LOL
On one side (at one of the doors, can you put a dog crate, a purchased "run", homemade "run", etc. so they have a tad more room if that's your main concern.

Pulled a few images from amazon to hopefully inspire you.
That said. For 4 hours, at this age, they probably would do o.k. in the armoire itself. (bottom) There's ventilation, you can always set up a fan outside the "cage" to circulate more air. Hang a small feeder and set/secure their water station. Do line the bottom with rubber shelf liner, a rubber rug, etc. so any spills don't soak in so quickly. Spread in a little pine shavings, etc.

Now. All that said. Is your family on board with having some chickens running about in the house?
A small prefab coop (oh horror! ) may be an alternative, if your budget allows. I know a lot of people poopoo at them, I've never had one, but I also seen many use them for brooding chicks, as hospital coops, bantam coops or simply that's what they have at this time! I'm sure a prefab may need some tweaking in time, but it may be something to consider.

Lastly. Go with YOUR Gut. Opinions are like chicken vents, they all have at least one! Sometimes the more opinions you get, the more confusing it can get!
What do YOU want to do?
If this is what you have, if you want to keep them then make it work.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...ens-with-special-needs.1530303/#post-25798577

 

[Aunt Angus]

I'm sorry that you're having such a hard time.
Take a deep breath

Let's go through this.
I stole your photo from your other thread
Where this armoire sits, how much space can you have in front of it? Asking, because...can you add, a "run" in front of it.
Basically they are small chicks right now and do probably have some mobility limitations as well, but they can surprise you, they have wings after all LOL
On one side (at one of the doors, can you put a dog crate, a purchased "run", homemade "run", etc. so they have a tad more room if that's your main concern.

Pulled a few images from amazon to hopefully inspire you.
That said. For 4 hours, at this age, they probably would do o.k. in the armoire itself. (bottom) There's ventilation, you can always set up a fan outside the "cage" to circulate more air. Hang a small feeder and set/secure their water station. Do line the bottom with rubber shelf liner, a rubber rug, etc. so any spills don't soak in so quickly. Spread in a little pine shavings, etc.

Now. All that said. Is your family on board with having some chickens running about in the house?
A small prefab coop (oh horror! ) may be an alternative, if your budget allows. I know a lot of people poopoo at them, I've never had one, but I also seen many use them for brooding chicks, as hospital coops, bantam coops or simply that's what they have at this time! I'm sure a prefab may need some tweaking in time, but it may be something to consider.

Lastly. Go with YOUR Gut. Opinions are like chicken vents, they all have at least one! Sometimes the more opinions you get, the more confusing it can get!
What do YOU want to do?
If this is what you have, if you want to keep them then make it work.

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View attachment 3132123


View attachment 3132122

https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...ens-with-special-needs.1530303/#post-25798577

The fam is on board because they love Myrtle. But we really don't have much room in the house.

However... I might be able to do a coop in our immediate yard - a prefab (the horror) - but it would be out of the rain on our porch and I can reinforce for predator proofing. Our immediate yard is about 1/2 acre, fully fenced. The garden is up here, so the fence is tall enough to keep out the deer. A small coop with a small run might be ok when they're older. Theyd still need to be inside for a while, though.

I might still pick up the frizzle. Idk. My gut says it'll be ok. But I've not had disabled chickens before.

 

[Aunt Angus]

OK - found a wooden playhouse on FB marketplace that I can pick up tomorrow. It's made from 1/2 in plywood. I will have to make a floor, add a bunch of hardware cloth, make more ventilation, install a very low roost (or none at all), put in a nest box, and add secure latches. It has roof tiles, so I think it will work well! It's 5x4, so plenty big. I can make a run that will also have a floor so I can keep it on my paved patio (predators). I won't raise it if I get the frizzle, who I don't think can use a ramp. I think this will work for when they are older. Hopefully.

It's superhero themed - so adorable! I will paint it if I go this route, to match my barn and my coop (red w/white trim).

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Nice score!
You can tweak this!

I really think they will be ok "cooped up" for just a few hours each day in the Armoire until you get their new coop ready. Try it and see, if it's not working out really well, I'm sure you can get creative.

 

[Aunt Angus]

Nice score!
You can tweak this!

I really think they will be ok "cooped up" for just a few hours each day in the Armoire until you get their new coop ready. Try it and see, if it's not working out really well, I'm sure you can get creative.

Surprisingly, hubby is on board. Myrtle has quite the hold on him - lol!

I have a 2x4 brooder I'll use plus I'll get an inside "coop". I think I'll pick up that frizzle tomorrow. I just don't want to end up with a chicken I can't take care of. Myrtle will be fine partly blind. A leg deformity? Idk. From the pics it looks like a twisted hock joint. Not fixable.

How would I know if it's in pain? It limps, but it still seems to eat and drink and hop around. Will it cry?

I'm picturing a sling chair for a while every day to relieve pressure and alleviate swelling. Maybe a splint if it will assist in walking. I don't think there's any fixing this leg

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Without looking back, I remember the leg being twisted, so likely a leg deformity which can't be corrected. Trying to force the leg straight with a splint would likely be painful.
I would first watch for a few days without wrappings/splints and actually see how well he moves. Then decide if the leg or joint even needs anything, a splint or if just a bit of stabilization with wrapping. If he's mobile, then that's good.
Not sure if the swelling is from wrappings too tight, infection/inflammation but I'd see about leaving them off for periods of time.

Again, you'll have to access the leg, his mobility once you get him. A sling might be beneficial but he would need monitoring so he doesn't flip out of it. He may not tolerate it.
Once they are introduced and get used to each other, I think they will probably help each other in a way. If she can't see well, then she'll learn his noises about where food/water and treats are. She may be a bit more cautious and slower because of her sight, but he'll be able to keep up with her....
Time will tell how it will all play out.

 

[Chipmunk Chicks]

Following. You must be on some kind of fast track to chicken-mama sainthood!

 

[Aunt Angus]

Following. You must be on some kind of fast track to chicken-mama sainthood!

Man, you should have seen the replies I got even I posted on a chicken page i follow on FB that I was looking for a disabled chick. They were ready to anoint me!

 

[Aunt Angus]

Without looking back, I remember the leg being twisted, so likely a leg deformity which can't be corrected. Trying to force the leg straight with a splint would likely be painful.
I would first watch for a few days without wrappings/splints and actually see how well he moves. Then decide if the leg or joint even needs anything, a splint or if just a bit of stabilization with wrapping. If he's mobile, then that's good.
Not sure if the swelling is from wrappings too tight, infection/inflammation but I'd see about leaving them off for periods of time.

Again, you'll have to access the leg, his mobility once you get him. A sling might be beneficial but he would need monitoring so he doesn't flip out of it. He may not tolerate it.
Once they are introduced and get used to each other, I think they will probably help each other in a way. If she can't see well, then she'll learn his noises about where food/water and treats are. She may be a bit more cautious and slower because of her sight, but he'll be able to keep up with her....
Time will tell how it will all play out.

Well, I went ahead and picked up the little frizzle. I felt like I was stringing the poor lady along. And - let me tell you- this is just about the cutest chick I have ever seen! Omg. However....

It's little hock joint is very swollen. It can walk and put some weight on its little leg, but it's clearly perosis or something similar.

I read that vitamins help, so I will start those. A sling would def help with the swelling, I think. And I have pain meds left over from Myrtle. I may administer those. But I am calling the vet first thing tomorrow. This doesn't look good. I don't mind caring for a special chicken, but I don't want it to suffer.

There's no reversing it at this point, but I'd like to manage pain and at least give it a shot at a good life.

Hard to get helpful pics, but here goes:

 

[Aunt Angus]

But here's it's cute lil face: