1 DAY OLD CHICK WALKING ON HOCKS/FEET/ LEG PROBLEMS

[chicken lady 555]

Hi!
1 of my chicks just hatched, the mother left the nest on day 19 so I popped them into the incubator for the rest of the time. This morning at 1am a chick was born and unsteady on legs but I put it down to just been born and needing time. This morning at 5:30 am I woke up to check on it and it's still the same.
Feet/ toes were curled so googled it and put plasters on them to straighten them out but it's still like he's dragging his bum, even when walking.
He is very tired so could that be why, no strength? Or could it a disability?

Doesn't seem like straddle leg, he just walks how he sits in the picture and stumbles a little bit!

thank you all in advance!

 

[Eggcessive]

If you are in the US, get some Poultry Cell vitamins and give it 1-2 drops daily. A little sugar or electrolytes added to water might help if the Poultry Cell is not found. Human vitamin B complex can be crushed and dissolved in a spoonful of water, and fed daily, 1/4 tablet each day. That and Poultry Cell contain riboflavin, which can help with curled toes and leg issues in baby chicks. Placing the chick in a small cup or glass for periods of the day can help it strengthen it’s legs. Hopefully, tose will help.

 

[chicken lady 555]

I'm in the UK! I don't think we have 'poultry cell' or know which vitamins are the best but I've got Vitamin B Complex, and will go to the local farm poultry tomorrow! I will start that tonight. As for the chicken chair, I'm making one now, chick is only 1 day old. Will the chair stress it too much or exhaust it? Is it too young or is younger the better?
thank you very much!

 

[Eggcessive]

You can start the b complex today, the sooner, the better. Riboflavin can be very helpful if there is a deficiency. Chick chairs can be made out of socks and other things around the home. The sooner the chick is near food and water, the better her chances are. Here is a good link with pictures of chick sling chairs:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/versions-of-chick-chairs-please.1166308/

 

[Eggcessive]

And another chick sling idea:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...and-caring-for-the-special-needs-chick.72163/

 

[chicken lady 555]

Thank you so so much for your reply!

I was on the internet worrying after no improvement (on his walking for over 24 hours, he would just drag his bum on the floor) I came across the possibility of a slipped tendon / ligament. I gave his legs a little stretch and pull backwards to straighten them out and double check if it possibly could be that, I was so so shocked at the difference within seconds!
Straight after that he was allover the place and still is!

It didn't really look like a slipped tendon, ( no swelling or visual abnormality), maybe he just needed a little help to get them going and into the right place after over 24 hours from PIP to hatch struggling in a tiny egg for his size!

All I know is I have a very happy chick now compared to when his legs weren't working! At one point he really didn't want to move anywhere at all & I was going to take him to the vets and thought he was going to have to be put down...but after a little stretch back, he's better than ever!
thank you!

I'll add some before and after pics, hopefully will help someone else one day!