Blind chick with leg issues

[heavenjumper]

I had a batch of chicks hatch Wednesday and Thursday this week. The last one that hatched was about 8 hours behind the rest, but hatched on its own with no problems. When I went to move this one to the brooder, I noticed it wasn't stable on its legs at all and it's eyes were completely cloudy. By the next morning, the right eye was almost clear, but the left eye was still cloudy and it wasn't able to stand on its own. I believe the chick is blind in the left eye, seems to react to movement in the right eye. I'm making sure it gets plenty of food and water and is safe from being trampled by the other chicks, but my main concern is the leg issue. It's not spraddle leg or slipped tendons, I've checked for both of those things, but I'm not sure what it could be. The chick started with curled toes, but the toes have mostly straightened out now with no other changes. It's almost like 1 leg is stronger than the other and that's what tips the chick sideways, but the strange part is the "stronger" leg changes. Whichever leg is up when the chick is on its side is the leg that it uses to help it move around, but it can't stay upright without help. It can bear weight on both legs when I hold it and keep it from tipping over, but it always leans to one side or the other. Does anyone know what might be causing this and how to treat it? Any help is greatly appreciated. Pic shows how it lays when not supported.

 

[FoodFreedomNow]

How's your chick doing today?

If you haven't already, offering a vitamin supplement (like Poultry Nutri-Drench) can help rule out a deficiency as the cause. Based on its other issues, it's also possible that something went wrong developmentally, preventing it from walking properly.

Best of luck!

 

[heavenjumper]

How's your chick doing today?

If you haven't already, offering a vitamin supplement (like Poultry Nutri-Drench) can help rule out a deficiency as the cause. Based on its other issues, it's also possible that something went wrong developmentally, preventing it from walking properly.

Best of luck!

Thank you, it's still eating and drinking well and it doesn't seem to let the inability to walk stop it from getting around its area. This morning it had gotten itself propped up in the corner standing and using the corner to stay upright. I'll definitely add some vitamins to the water today and see if that helps. I'm thinking a developmental issue may be the root cause as well, so I may be making a chicken wheelchair in the future.

 

[Ajm200]

We had a blind chicken in our first flock. She was delivered with our Eglu Cube. She was nicknamed ‘Dippy’ as she was clumsy, slow to keep up and used to fall over her own feet. It was only later that we realised she couldn’t see very well.

She lived 4 years. The flock took care of her and she followed their gentle clucking. She even mastered the ladder. She’d follow another chicken up and fly down.

The sight issue may not hold your chick back if it’s legs heal