BIG emergency, small chick. HELP!

[littlepip]

finally a healthy button quail hatched. at first he looked ok, but then I saw that his leg was splayed out behind him. I've heard of things to help splayed legs, but he's just too small! we've been giving him water by dipping his beak in, and then he swallows it. I'm not sure about food. how can I fix this? he's the only living quail, and I would hate to cull him since he's so determined to walk. HELP!

here's the positioning of his "normal" leg, (blue) and his bad one. (red):

the blue marks where his other leg is underneath of him.

 

[RhodeIslandRed5]

Aww, poor little baby. Try Googling 'Splayed leg in quail chicks' and see how they show you to help. Also, vitamins might be a good idea.

 

[That_australian_lad]

wtf thats very bad

 

[RhodeIslandRed5]

Google 'splayed legs in quail chicks' and see the site: 104Homestead that shows you how to help even the smallest chicks with splayed legs with a drinking glass. Try putting vitamins in it's water and see if it'll drink it.

 

[littlepip]

I used Sav-A-chick electrolytes mixed with water in a tiny milk jug lid. he can't sit up to drink on his own, but if I dip his beak in, he'll drink it. What do I do for food? I'm going to try the drinking glass thing tomorrow morning as it's late here.

 

[RhodeIslandRed5]

From what I understand, chicks don't have to eat the first two or three days after hatching. Don't you have some chick starter food on hand?

 

[littlepip]

yes but...chick food for button quail? isn't that too big of pieces? He has been hatching since 2 days ago, but he got out today. do the days that he was pipping count?

 

[RhodeIslandRed5]

Ok, from what I'm understanding, turkey feed is better for quail, but you can use chicken as a substitute. As for pieced being too big, I totally understand. My Rhode Island Red chicks won't eat their food unless it's crushed. Place the food in a zip-loc bag, and crush with a rolling pin and/or hammer into powder. Good luck with your poor little baby!

 

[littlepip]

we did the food crushing, and he climbed into the food like it was a dust bath

we'll try again tomorrow.

 

[GiggleOinkQuack]

Keep us updated! Also, where did you get the eggs from? As I’m on the hunt for button quail’