[Julias hens]

Hi, have hatched 4 chicks in friends incubator but one chick's toes are not straight and one toe is folded under the foot. This is making walking more difficult. Is there anything I can do or is it something it can live with? Chicks are now one week old and thriving otherwise. Any advice would be greatfully received

[GrannieAnnie]

I get this occasionally.  the last chick I had with deformed toes, I cut a piece of card to roughly the size and shape of its foot, put a little double sided tape on the card, then gently (which isn't easy with a wriggling chick!) placed each toe straight and stuck the card to the chick's foot, then taped over the foot too.

It took a couple of tries before the card stayed on, but it did help!!

[Chookiechook]

I have had this with Sablepoots lately   Its a strange one..... not sure what caused it as other stuff in the bator hatched fine.... but it was on the golds and the porcelain poots

Maybe a bator problem, but I dont think so

[Julias hens]

thank you all for the advice, tried the cardboard but was worried it was cruel, shall give it another go, thanx

Very interested to hear about the incubator temperature, the one used doesn't really have temp settings will investigate further

[GrannieAnnie]

I've done the cardboard thingy a couple of times now Julia, and it doesn't seem to bother the chick! I don't think they have much feeling in their little feet.

But if it helps them to survive, then have a go.  the alternative is you end up culling the little mite, so at least give it a chance!  Good luck!!!!

[Julias hens]

  Thanks GrannieAnnie, the cardboard seems to be really helping!

Don't suppose you could also tell me how to stop my  hens pecking their Cockerel's tail feathers?? They just had the feathers before now theyare making him bleed by pecking so close to the quills. Only 5 in their house, 1 Wellsummer Cock and Hen, Two black rocks and a barnvelder. Seem well behaved otherwise

[joyfull]

try spraying him with anti peck spray or get some ukadex to put on him 

[GrannieAnnie]

I suppose he's moulting is he?  Like my Rocky, poor little man.  Rocky's goldline girlfriend is pecking him a bit on the rear where he's lost his tail feathers!  Like Joyfull said either purple spray him or UKADEX, which smells really vile.

I sometimes get good results with vaseline with tea tree oil mixed in.  It's healing as well as helps stop them pecking. 

[Julias hens]

Thanks will try to save his pride being pecked! Every day there is something new goin on with our chickens, at least life isn't dull!!!