Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[Madchook]

My first Dorking hatchling has a splayed leg and weak foot. I tethered the legs this morning, and have just put a shoe on as its elbow is looking sore (as the tether has brought the leg in but it still can't really use the foot so it hops along on the elbow). It doesn't have really curled toes, but it just isn't working right iykwim. I might need to make a bigger shoe I think as it is still managing to walk on the elbow.

I am willing to give it a chance within reason. However I contacted the breeder and they said I should have culled it straight away and that they don't really come good (offered me discount on more eggs) - but also that in X yrs breeding the strain they have only ever had one chick with it - and they hatch alot. They said it would have been damage to the embryo via post, or problem with too high humidity at the end of hatching (??????) . All the reading I have done has not given and particular reason for it so I am not convinced... anyway, I just wondered, since you hear of alot of people treating it, how many of these chicks actually make it?

It is making me worry about the incubator. This is the end of day 21 and there is some cheeping from the remaining Dorking, but nothing from the 6 IG that were ALL moving at day 18... this is turning out to be quite stressful

[tom123]

I had two in my last hatch with splayed legs and popped plasters around their legs as soon as they came out of the incy. After 3 days with these on they were fine and are perfectly healthy now.

 

I would leave the plaster and the shoe on for 3-4 days to allow the chick's muscles to strengthen and then see how it goes

 

good luck

[Madchook]

Thanks Tom, that is promising!

[Griffin]

It's worked for mine too

[The Dogmother]

I've done it in the past and it's fine after a couple of days.