Week old chick with hurt leg

[yeahd00d]

Hi all!

Sort of new here so I apologize if there is already a thread started about this.

I have (3) 1 week old chicks that are with a broody hen. Currently they are all outside in my chicken tractor until the chicks get a little bigger.

Today I came home to find one of the chicks having trouble walking. After getting past the mother I got the chick and checked her out. The leg looks ok but the chick won't put weight on it. She will try and walk but kind of hobbles and uses her wings to balance herself.

I saw some other people saying they had chicks with hurt legs and they just separated them for a while until the chick healed. But I'm not sure if the chick would be better off outside with the mother.

Right now I have her inside, but she's screaming for her mama and it's breaking my heart that she's alone. But I also want her leg to heal up if she sprained it or hurt it in any way.

Anyone have any advice on how to handle this particular situation? All advice is welcome!!

 

[christwodog]

Maybe put one of the other chicks with her for a couple of days, so she's not all alone? Hope she gets better soon!

 

[yeahd00d]

Maybe put one of the other chicks with her for a couple of days, so she's not all alone? Hope she gets better soon!

Okay, so you think it's best to keep her in the house for a few days to let her heal?

 

[christwodog]

I would keep her inside...make sure she can stay warm. Probably will be ok, if there's nothing visible. At least if she has a buddy, she can have some company and not get run over by the whole flock.

 

[yeahd00d]

I would keep her inside...make sure she can stay warm. Probably will be ok, if there's nothing visible. At least if she has a buddy, she can have some company and not get run over by the whole flock.

Okay, thank you for the advice! Now I need to try and get past the mother to get her a buddy! Lol

 

[christwodog]

Good luck!! Distract her with a favorite treat!

 

[yeahd00d]

Good luck!! Distract her with a favorite treat!

Oh, sorry! One other question. If I keep 2 of the chicks separated from the mother and other chick for a few days or a week will there be any issues reintroducing them to mama?

 

[christwodog]

I think they are young enough to not have re-introduction issues, but watch them carefully to make sure.

 

[christwodog]

If the hen acts like she doesn't want them back, worst case scenario, you just keep them in the brooder box till they're old enough to go outside. Then it would be just like introducing new chicks that you raised yourself. Not ideal, but if her leg is bad enough to keep her from getting around like the others, I don't think you have any choice but to separate her.

 

[yeahd00d]

If the hen acts like she doesn't want them back, worst case scenario, you just keep them in the brooder box till they're old enough to go outside. Then it would be just like introducing new chicks that you raised yourself. Not ideal, but if her leg is bad enough to keep her from getting around like the others, I don't think you have any choice but to separate her.

Agreed! Thanks so much for your insight, I really appreciate it. I just wanted to make sure I was doing the right thing