1.5 month old chick - knees suddenly buckling??

[provost1801]

I have seven chicks that hatched around 3/1. Their 'mama' left them about a week ago to go back with the rest of the flock and one of my roosters has adopted them. I still have them separated since we have cats and I want to make sure they're big enough to get away if necessary. I went out to check on them a bit ago and one of the chicks is walking funny. It is almost like her knees are buckling? She has to kick her foot out in front of her to walk forward and sometimes her foot gets caught and curls up underneath her. Does anyone have any idea of what this might be?? I'm at a loss but feel so bad for her!!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I have seven chicks that hatched around 3/1. Their 'mama' left them about a week ago to go back with the rest of the flock and one of my roosters has adopted them. I still have them separated since we have cats and I want to make sure they're big enough to get away if necessary. I went out to check on them a bit ago and one of the chicks is walking funny. It is almost like her knees are buckling? She has to kick her foot out in front of her to walk forward and sometimes her foot gets caught and curls up underneath her. Does anyone have any idea of what this might be?? I'm at a loss but feel so bad for her!!

Can you take some photos?
A video of that walking would be great too - upload to youtube, provide a link.

What are you feeding your chicks?
I would provide the chick with some poultry vitamins that have B2(Riboflavin). If you can cage it within the coop/run to limit activity, that may be helpful until you evaluate her better and figure out the cause of the leg issue.

 

[provost1801]

Can you take some photos?
A video of that walking would be great too - upload to youtube, provide a link.

What are you feeding your chicks?
I would provide the chick with some poultry vitamins that have B2(Riboflavin). If you can cage it within the coop/run to limit activity, that may be helpful until you evaluate her better and figure out the cause of the leg issue.

They are on chick feed, alfalfa, natural grass, and extra protein treats from me I gave them some probiotics but have not tried extra vitamins. I posted a video from yesterday but she seems to have progressed a bit. I'll try to upload a new one later today. Thanks for the suggestion!!

 

[Eggcessive]

It is hard to tell for sure what is going on with the legs in the video, but I suspect their could be a leg bone deformity in the left or both legs. One such common deformity is valgus deformity where the legs can be knock kneed. The opposite defect is varus deformity where the legs appear to be bowed. See the drawing below. This may happen in just one side or both. She really gets around well, though.

https://www.merckvetmanual.com/poul.../noninfectious-skeletal-disorders-in-broilers

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I agree, I'm not sure what's going on there. I only saw one instance where the foot curled under. It's almost like the leg is locked or something.
Is there any swelling of the joint?

 

[provost1801]

Thank you @Wyorp Rock and @Eggcessive for the suggestions!!! There wasn't any swelling and, unfortunately, it got to the point where she couldn't use her legs so we decided to do the humane thing and put her down. So far, none of the others have shown similar symptoms so I hope it was just an anomaly. It was very sad b/c she was a really beautiful chick

BTW - I was looking for a peaceful way to put her down and read online about putting her in an air tight container with a bowl of baking soda and vinegar off to the side as those things mixed would put off CO2 and she would just go to sleep peacefully. I'm not sure if it was b/c she was older/bigger, but I DO NOT suggest that method.

 

[Eggcessive]

I am very sorry for your loss, but that was for the best. The baking soda/vinegar method worked for me with a couple of 2 day old brain damaged chicks, but I also would not recommend that on an older chick.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Thank you @Wyorp Rock and @Eggcessive for the suggestions!!! There wasn't any swelling and, unfortunately, it got to the point where she couldn't use her legs so we decided to do the humane thing and put her down. So far, none of the others have shown similar symptoms so I hope it was just an anomaly. It was very sad b/c she was a really beautiful chick

BTW - I was looking for a peaceful way to put her down and read online about putting her in an air tight container with a bowl of baking soda and vinegar off to the side as those things mixed would put off CO2 and she would just go to sleep peacefully. I'm not sure if it was b/c she was older/bigger, but I DO NOT suggest that method.

I'm sorry for your loss, but it sounds like you made the right decision. Sometimes disabilities like that will make it hard for a chicken to thrive.

Thank you sharing your thoughts about baking soda/vinegar method of euthanasia. Could be that it's effective with just hatched to a few weeks old, I just don't know. I have never used that method and personally would not try. It may seem harsh for some, but a good sharp knife or cervical dislocation is something I would recommend.