Contolini6
In the Brooder
I am really new to chickens. We just got six chicks about a week ago! Five of them are doing great-- cheeping and eating and pooping and running around like nobody's business. I started noticing a few days ago that one of them (Janice) is not doing so hot however. She seemed way weaker and less energetic than the other ones. She will just lay down and fall asleep where she is and the other ones were stepping on her, pushing her out of the way at the food dish, etc. Last night I decided to separate her. Generally seems weak, sleepy, and uninterested in things. She is eating and drinking some, but not as much as the others, and her poops are normal. But she just isn't moving like the other ones. And she definitely looks unwell-- her feathers (the ones she has, anyways) are bedraggled and messy looking, has her eyes closed a lot, etc.
She is an unknown mixed breed, black with a white chest and feathered legs. Not sure exactly how old, probably 2-3 weeks.
On closer observation, it seems like she is having trouble standing and walking, specifically with one leg. I have to encourage her to stand and walk. She will take a few shaky steps and then sink down again like it was too much effort! She doesn't seem to want to put much weight on that leg, she limps and it just kind of slides out to the side/behind her and after a few steps she will give up. When I set her down she lets it curl up under her uselessly and has to extend her wings for balance.
Does she need vitamins? Is this spraddle leg? Should I hobble her? It doesn't look nearly as bad as pictures of other cases I have seen on here but she's definitely having trouble and can't keep up. Looked at her feet, they are clean and I don't think it's bumble foot. Leg doesn't seem injured; she doesn't complain at all when I move it. Advice on what to do would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
Isabella
She is an unknown mixed breed, black with a white chest and feathered legs. Not sure exactly how old, probably 2-3 weeks.
On closer observation, it seems like she is having trouble standing and walking, specifically with one leg. I have to encourage her to stand and walk. She will take a few shaky steps and then sink down again like it was too much effort! She doesn't seem to want to put much weight on that leg, she limps and it just kind of slides out to the side/behind her and after a few steps she will give up. When I set her down she lets it curl up under her uselessly and has to extend her wings for balance.
Does she need vitamins? Is this spraddle leg? Should I hobble her? It doesn't look nearly as bad as pictures of other cases I have seen on here but she's definitely having trouble and can't keep up. Looked at her feet, they are clean and I don't think it's bumble foot. Leg doesn't seem injured; she doesn't complain at all when I move it. Advice on what to do would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
Isabella