- Aug 14, 2014
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I recently purchased 6 baby meets from a breeder. When viewing them we saw one baby we were told had a splayed leg and would either come out of it in a week or so, or would have to be put town in a ziploc bag (horrible if you ask me). We went back a few days later to pick up the meets, and when we got home (a long drive away) saw that we had gotten the splayed leg.
We thought, well at least we are willing to care for a disabled chicken for a while vs. put it down. We have been patiently waiting 2.5 weeks now and he's no better, and not growing a lot because he has a hard time eating and drinking. The others aren't picking on him and he was not happy being separated so up until now they have all been together. This morning I went in to find one of the older meets (3 times as big) has now also developed a splayed leg. I immediately thought oh no, this must be hereditary or perhaps thee breed is inbred. But when I looked it up, it seems to be a common problem that can sometimes be fixed (with an elastic, bandaid, pipe cleaner etc.) if caught early. Of course for the small check it's been at least 2.5 weeks, and the large one only a day but he's not newborn.
So, I tried the splint on both. The larger one seems to be hobbling around and potentially may come out of it, especially since it's just happened. However, the smaller one doesn't seem to be able to get up at all, and is just laying there. I separated him so I could watch him more carefully and so he didn't get trampled or feel pressured and stressed (with a mirror for a friend). I have tried 3 different style solutions with different tightnesses, the latest is the band aid since it seems to pull the leg in more properly vs. just pulling them together but still splayed out.
Please help! Is it too late? Is there something else i should try? Should I see if he picks himself up in a day or so? It is cruel and is he in pain and should be put down? If so what is the most humane way?
I have always had chickens but these are my first guinea hens/keets and I don't know if this is normal.
Any help or comments are appreciated.
We thought, well at least we are willing to care for a disabled chicken for a while vs. put it down. We have been patiently waiting 2.5 weeks now and he's no better, and not growing a lot because he has a hard time eating and drinking. The others aren't picking on him and he was not happy being separated so up until now they have all been together. This morning I went in to find one of the older meets (3 times as big) has now also developed a splayed leg. I immediately thought oh no, this must be hereditary or perhaps thee breed is inbred. But when I looked it up, it seems to be a common problem that can sometimes be fixed (with an elastic, bandaid, pipe cleaner etc.) if caught early. Of course for the small check it's been at least 2.5 weeks, and the large one only a day but he's not newborn.
So, I tried the splint on both. The larger one seems to be hobbling around and potentially may come out of it, especially since it's just happened. However, the smaller one doesn't seem to be able to get up at all, and is just laying there. I separated him so I could watch him more carefully and so he didn't get trampled or feel pressured and stressed (with a mirror for a friend). I have tried 3 different style solutions with different tightnesses, the latest is the band aid since it seems to pull the leg in more properly vs. just pulling them together but still splayed out.
Please help! Is it too late? Is there something else i should try? Should I see if he picks himself up in a day or so? It is cruel and is he in pain and should be put down? If so what is the most humane way?
I have always had chickens but these are my first guinea hens/keets and I don't know if this is normal.
Any help or comments are appreciated.
