Week old keet, slipped tendons on both legs

[DogwoodMtnFarm]

Today sucks. I took the wraps and Nerf bullet braces off our poor little keet with the slipped tendons early yesterday afternoon. The tendons are staying in place but the poor thing just flopped on its face and tried desperately to get righted. We put it in the box it and its friends arrived in 2 weeks ago with some food and water and brought it downstairs with us for some extra help and recover.

I gently stretched and manipulated its legs since it was so stiff and it did much better. Soon it was able to maintain an upright, squatting position. After a few minutes it hobbled over on its hocks and had some food and water. We tried using a finger to help it hold and upright position and on its little legs properly, which just ticked it off and it flapped its little wings like it wanted to fly out of the box and away from us but it was able to rise up and stand on its legs like that. When we felt it was strong enough I put it with the other keets, which are at least 50% larger than it is. It wobbled around on its hocks again but found the food and water. It can lift itself up almost fully on it's legs but it can't maintain it for more than a second. I left it to recover and went to bed, checking on it at 3am.

This morning there's no change. We were really hoping it would've gotten some strength and flexibility back but it's still walking on its hocks this morning, though it is still eating, drinking and being very feisty. Well, poo.

I've been fighting a migraine for almost a week and I had barely any sleep Friday and Saturday nights; it's been a rough few days. I was so hopeful for it as I was praying last night before I finally fell asleep. It's not to be. This just stinks. I'm depressed about it. I know it's just livestock and didn't have great chances anywaty but I hate to see anything not make it, especially after all the hard work and prayers we put into it. I can't do the deed, I'm just too softhearted, so Andy will have to. I'm not sure what the best way is, either, probably snipping the neck with sharp garden shears. I may come from farmers but I've spent too much time away from the family farms of my relatives.

We're moving the rest of the keets into a 2' X 6' X 2' stock tank with a plastic mesh cover that will keep them from jumping out since they've totally outgrown the 2' X 3' dog kennel and are taking particular pleasure in sitting on top of the food and water containers. I have the brooder plate in there now getting warm and will also use a heat lamp as they're now in our basement, which is a bit cool.

Thanks for all the advice and encouragement, I genuinely appreciate it. This may be my 1st and last attempt at baby fowl......................

~Trish

 

[DogwoodMtnFarm]

I would carefully read that thread I linked for you and glean the info from there. Likely you need to see about taking the splints off now.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/peachick-with-slipped-tendon.1092979/post-25598890

Thanks! I left the braces on a little longer because I thought it was better to be safe than sorry. Unfortunately, it's just not doing well. The tendons are back in place but it can't/won't lift up on its legs. I know it can because I've seen it and when I stabilize it with my finger under its breast it stands. It and the other 15 keets are now in the 2'X6'X2' stock tank with both the brooder plate (20 chick size) and the heat lamp. It's so much smaller than the other birds but it's still eating and drinking and will follow the other keets, mostly on its hocks. We'll give it another day to see if maybe the weakness is from being immobile for so long.

~Trish

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Thanks! I left the braces on a little longer because I thought it was better to be safe than sorry. Unfortunately, it's just not doing well. The tendons are back in place but it can't/won't lift up on its legs. I know it can because I've seen it and when I stabilize it with my finger under its breast it stands. It and the other 15 keets are now in the 2'X6'X2' stock tank with both the brooder plate (20 chick size) and the heat lamp. It's so much smaller than the other birds but it's still eating and drinking and will follow the other keets, mostly on its hocks. We'll give it another day to see if maybe the weakness is from being immobile for so long.

~Trish

You may have to sling him with his legs down so he's supported but can push up to strengthen his legs.

Like a chick chair. https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/versions-of-chick-chairs-please.1166308/

 

[DogwoodMtnFarm]

Amazing what 24 hours and a much larger brooder can do for a feisty little keet - and its 15 friends!!!! LK (Li'l Keet) was trying so hard to stand and was actually doing it yesterday, albeit very briefly, so after some prayers we felt led to give LK until this morning. We moved everyone into the new 2'w X 6'l X 2'h stock tank last evening and watched the other 15 keets run around enjoying the new digs. LK was still eating and was the first keet to discover the new 20 chick brooder plate (there's also a heat lamp.) A last check before we went to bed and just about everyone was crashed in a couple of piles. Keets sure look dead when they stretch their necks and bodies out when they sleep!

After working in the garden it was time to feed the menagerie and the keets were last on the list, probably because we were worried what we might find. Hallelujah, LK was standing upright then it walked/trotted 2/3rds of the length of the new brooder! We were both just thrilled and held each other as we watched LK walk and trot! And yes, I cried a few tears of joy. We watched LK stand and walk about 4' to one of the waterers (the one with B-complex, we call it keet Gatorade), take some deep drinks while still standing, then plop down for a little rest. 30 seconds later he joined the other keets for a walk/trot to the warm side of the brooder, plopped down and started pecking at some feed we'd put down just in case it couldn't make it to either of the feeders.

The big keets are not just zooming from end to end of the brooder and even banging into the sides when they can't stop! LK was run over a few times in the melee but just shook it off and walked a bit. I tried to get pics of LK in action but it's really hard to take a picture of a white keet on white paper towels while it's in motion. LK is in the center of the 1st pic standing up while extending its wings a bit. It can flap its wings perfectly and is very vocal.

I included a couple pics of the new brooder set up, too. The 2X4 holds the heat lamp securely and the plastic netting is placed over it then strapped and bungeed down to keep everyone in. At one point one of the 3 large lavender keets shot straight up and actually hit the netting so we're really glad we put that over them ASAP. We hung a thermometer and large mirror, which the keets really like.

Thanks again for all the prayers and great advice. We know we're not completely out of the woods but LK is Feisty and a survivor so we're feeling so much better about its recovery. LK is quite a bit smaller and we don't know if it can/will catch up or will just be a small adult. Also, LK and the other white keet both have curled toes syndrome, the other keet much worse. We'll tape the bigger keet's foot today but give LK a few more days to fully recover before taping its foot.

~Trish

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Amazing what 24 hours and a much larger brooder can do for a feisty little keet - and its 15 friends!!!! LK (Li'l Keet) was trying so hard to stand and was actually doing it yesterday, albeit very briefly, so after some prayers we felt led to give LK until this morning. We moved everyone into the new 2'w X 6'l X 2'h stock tank last evening and watched the other 15 keets run around enjoying the new digs. LK was still eating and was the first keet to discover the new 20 chick brooder plate (there's also a heat lamp.) A last check before we went to bed and just about everyone was crashed in a couple of piles. Keets sure look dead when they stretch their necks and bodies out when they sleep!

After working in the garden it was time to feed the menagerie and the keets were last on the list, probably because we were worried what we might find. Hallelujah, LK was standing upright then it walked/trotted 2/3rds of the length of the new brooder! We were both just thrilled and held each other as we watched LK walk and trot! And yes, I cried a few tears of joy. We watched LK stand and walk about 4' to one of the waterers (the one with B-complex, we call it keet Gatorade), take some deep drinks while still standing, then plop down for a little rest. 30 seconds later he joined the other keets for a walk/trot to the warm side of the brooder, plopped down and started pecking at some feed we'd put down just in case it couldn't make it to either of the feeders.

The big keets are not just zooming from end to end of the brooder and even banging into the sides when they can't stop! LK was run over a few times in the melee but just shook it off and walked a bit. I tried to get pics of LK in action but it's really hard to take a picture of a white keet on white paper towels while it's in motion. LK is in the center of the 1st pic standing up while extending its wings a bit. It can flap its wings perfectly and is very vocal.

I included a couple pics of the new brooder set up, too. The 2X4 holds the heat lamp securely and the plastic netting is placed over it then strapped and bungeed down to keep everyone in. At one point one of the 3 large lavender keets shot straight up and actually hit the netting so we're really glad we put that over them ASAP. We hung a thermometer and large mirror, which the keets really like.

Thanks again for all the prayers and great advice. We know we're not completely out of the woods but LK is Feisty and a survivor so we're feeling so much better about its recovery. LK is quite a bit smaller and we don't know if it can/will catch up or will just be a small adult. Also, LK and the other white keet both have curled toes syndrome, the other keet much worse. We'll tape the bigger keet's foot today but give LK a few more days to fully recover before taping its foot.

~TrishView attachment 3860002View attachment 3860003View attachment 3860005

Wonder news!

Go LK Go!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Update on Lk?

 

[DogwoodMtnFarm]

Update on Lk?

So sorry I haven't updated sooner, Wyorp Rock:

She's not doing well but I'm hoping and praying. She was doing GREAT, getting around, nice straight legs, good hocks, etc. with a wonky foot. Even after the 2nd time her tendon slipped, I was able to manipulate it back and she was off and running - and flying - for over a week. I renamed her Bonnie and her white buddy, BK, Clyde, after a chick-chair escape. It was 3am, I was exhausted when I checked on them on the way to bed and just cracked up as they stared back at me like "we'll show you!" As I chuckled I said "You two are Bonnie and Clyde reborn" and the names stuck.

That was the *2nd* chair sit for Clyde. I had to rewrap, brace and sit him back on the chair and then re-wrap and brace 2 more times because he managed to scrape off the tape with his other leg! Stinker! The final time we hung him in a cotton glove and I finally found the right waterproof tape; his 48 hour sit was uneventful with Bonnie right below him the whole time.

Unfortunately the tendon/hock didn't heal. I took them both to vet #2, and avian/exotic specialist, on Wednesday 6/26 and after a thorough consultation and discussion we decided it was better for him to go to the Homestead Rainbow Bridge. He had structural issues that were most likely genetic and surgery and recovery was highly unlikely. I didn't seem fair or humane to do that to him. He had been less active and not giving me as much "keetitude" so I really felt he was ready.

It was my birthday so it really sucked. Andy had to work (remote IT consultant) so he stayed in our truck working on his laptop while I met with the vet. I texted him after I made the decision just to make sure he was OK with it. He told me at my birthday dinner that night he totally expected me to be a puddle and was really proud of me, especially since I had to do the 4 hours driving in crazy Atlanta. I guess those farmer genes and Mom's farmgirl sensibilities are alive in me after all.

We did bring Clyde home and will be putting him to "rest" this weekend (he's in an empty freezer in his little box right now) and will be the first in our homestead pet/livestock cemetary. I pray Bonnie won't be joining him, I really don't think I can handle that right now.

On the 2 hour trip home from Hotlanta (106 degrees at one point) Bonnie somehow managed to slip her tendon in 1 leg again - crap. We have a Ford F350 Dually 4X4 that's a bit of a rough ride and some of the roads in Atlanat stink. She must've just landed wrong on a bump while in her softsider kennel with the heating pad plugged in. I've been doing PT and tried taping the tendon without the chair but it's just not working. Her hock is SO swollen, I know it's got to be painful. The wonderful avian/exotic vet gave me the formula for how much aspirin to put in her water based on her weight so hopefully she'll have some relief. I'm going to give her hock an warm water and epsom salt soak then back on the chick chair. She still needs to have "orthopedic shoes" for her wonky foot if the tendon heals correctly so her prognosis is guarded at best.

*IF* I can get the tendon to stay in place I'm considering getting her a ~6-8 week old pullet to keep her company while she's in her orthopedic shoe for 1-2 weeks (per the vet.) We're planning on chicks anyway so having one a few months ahead of the others will work just fine. She's still too small to be with the other 14. They'll be moving into the 10'X10' coop this weekend and will be able to enjoy the 4 - 10' roosting limbs up in the 10'-12' hoop. Andy's put a lot of thought and time into their coop and their security while in it. We'll move her and the pullet into the stock tank so they have plenty of room.

The last picture I took of Bonnie and Clyde was at the vet hospital after the decision was made, while we were waiting for Clyde's departure. It broke mine and the vet's hearts. She said she's worried about Bonnie being alone, too, so we're hoping the pullet will help her. Naturally, we don't know what Bonnie's gender is but I think a pullet is a better option than a 'roo. The other picture is of the 14 large, active, crazy keets enjoying their Bug Bonanza treat.

Prayers for Bonnie and for me are VERY welcome!! I've almost given up many times in the past 48 hours but she still has a lot of Keetitude and is tolerating the PT. She is NOT going to like the chick chair, though!! I'm having a really hard time today, have a migraine and am on the verge of breaking down in that puddle Andy talked about......

God Bless!
Trish
Dogwood Mtn Farm
Cedartown, GA

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Trish, I'm so sorry to hear about Clyde. The photo is so sweet isn't it.

I do hope Bonnie starts to improve, I'm glad you were able to consult the vet and get some tips.
You have done so much and come so far with her, it would be just heartbreaking to lose her too.

Prayers for you that you get through this difficult time and of course for little Bonnie.