[Squiggly]

Hi

Well I picked up my four chicks and they are lovely but I brought back an extra one too, this one isn't 100% he (no idea if boys or girls but we'll call it he) has one leg that seems too far in, kind of the opposite to splayed legs.

The one leg seems fine but the other one seems in a bit and he isn't using it. he seems active enough....rolling around, chirping, eyes open etc.... but he can't walk, any ideas how i can help him? If it was splayed legs Id know where to start but I have no idea how to help this little one.


Just to add his eyes aren't open all the time and it seems as if its actually only one eye that does open, I know some people will think cull it but I want to try everything first.

[PaulineM]

Sorry can't really help but if you hold the chick can you actually make the eye open? or is it fused shut? 

[joyfull]

it may be dislocated - get him/her to a vet asap to get it popped back in - if it is left for any length of time you run the risk of it not staying popped in 

[stompy]

Is the eye that won't open on the same side as the leg that looks wrong?
Could it have had a stroke?

[Squiggly]

Yes the eye is the same side as the bad leg, we will pop him down to the vet......fingers crossed!!

[stompy]

Good luck 

[Squiggly]

Thank you for the good luck message 

Took him to the vet - the vet on isn't really experienced with chicks but has some experience and phoned a more experienced one too.

Anyway she bathed his bad eye and now he can open it  Id put a straddle splint thing on him (with a plaster) and he can stand now but he wobbles and can't really walk too well, she took it off and had a look at him and he has no fractures or dislocations, no swelling or cuts, or any obvious signs of damage.

So she said to put his straddle splint on him again and see how he goes for the next few days, so thats what Ive done, I just feel so sorry for him lay on his side under the electric hen 

How often do you think I should lift him to his food and water? Ive put them close to him but he still needs help at the moment.

[Helenaj]

Sorry to hear about the chick - it's heartbreaking watching them struggle. Having been there myself, I sympathise.
With regards to feeding and watering, I'd help him to both as and when you see the others feeding. Young chicks tend to eat little and often, so you would need to keep a very close eye on him to make sure he gets fed and watered which is much more important, especially if he is stuck under the electric hen and may overheat.

Good luck with him anyway and keep us posted.

[Squiggly]

Well I woke up this morning and was really disheartened, he couldn't even stand up no matter how hard he or we tried, but after holding him by his water and getting him to drink and eat and then letting him rest again I had another try with him and it got a little better 

Throughout the day Ive been getting him out to eat and drink and stand and now he is standing ok, he wobbles a little but when that happens he puts his wings out to steady himself and he is even managing a couple of steps!! 

He can't get from his lying position (on his side) to standing yet but there is still time for that I hope!

[PaulineM]

Glad to hear that there is some improvement, good luck and keep us posted on how this little chick does. 

[jinty1911]

Ohhh Will keep everything crossed for him/her. 

[bantam novice]

Good Luck from me too 

[Squiggly]

Great news!!!

My baby can walk and get himself/herself up again after s/he has fallen down!!!! I am so so happy  

S/he only walks slowly but its a huge difference and I really am over the moon    I just have to hope now that its a girl, we can't keep boys but have a farm and animal centre who will take any boys we have so I know he'd be safe but I want to keep him/her!

Here are some pics

[bantam novice]

Great news Squiggly,
You really have done a good job with that chick 
Love the pics! 

[joyfull]

it may be a long hard slog but looks like you are giving the little one lots of love and attention