Unsecure chicken perches

[Roobaloo]

EDIT - Shes only using one leg, the other still has feeling but she won't put weight on it!!! She's stumbling round the brooder. What do I do??? Can I help or is it hopeless??

 

Please help me!!!

 

One of my chicks is looking a little tired today.

 

As I cleaned out the brooder this morning, I placed the three chicks in a small box as usual. The other two were peeping and playing with the shredded paper...but the third just sat there. When I put her back in the brooder, she just sat down at the edge of the electric hen. The other two charged around investigating everything, the Poland was leaping on anything that didn't move...and even when they crashed into her, she just moved a little and sat back down.

 

She did have a mucky bottom last night but it's still clean this morning, didn't see anything bad (poop-wise!) as I cleaned the brooder and she seems alert to sounds...and they're on medicated chick crumb...

 

I've been checking on them periodically throughout the morning and she's always sat under the heat while the others are either feeding or running about.

 

Could it be early signs of something (coccidiosis?) or is she just having a bad day (and I'm just paranoid!)?

 

Edited July 30, 2010 by Guest

[amateurkeeper]

Hi there,

 

I'm a bit of a newbie at this but we have a 2 week old blue splash orpie who is behaving exactly the same way - even down to the dirty bottom!! We've done some research and asked advice and put it down to it being at the bottom of the pecking order - it seems very happy otherwise, if not subdued, but I'm sure one they're fully grown it'll perk up - I have a feeling it's a boy so will definately be ordering the ladies around

 

With regard to coccidiosis, if it stops eating/drinking and/or there is blood in the chick's stools then yes, it could be that. However, if it is eating/drinking fine, and there is no blood, then you don't need to worry.

 

I hope this helps to put your mind at rest?

[amateurkeeper]

P.S. - She's a very pretty little chick!!

[Roobaloo]

Hi there,

 

I'm a bit of a newbie at this but we have a 2 week old blue splash orpie who is behaving exactly the same way - even down to the dirty bottom!! We've done some research and asked advice and put it down to it being at the bottom of the pecking order - it seems very happy otherwise, if not subdued, but I'm sure one they're fully grown it'll perk up - I have a feeling it's a boy so will definately be ordering the ladies around

 

With regard to coccidiosis, if it stops eating/drinking and/or there is blood in the chick's stools then yes, it could be that. However, if it is eating/drinking fine, and there is no blood, then you don't need to worry.

 

I hope this helps to put your mind at rest?

 

Hi!

 

It seems strange that it might be pecking order as she was top chick, with the Poland firmly at the bottom...so whether there's been some arguing...and the tables have turned against her?

 

I didn't see her eating or drinking but then I didn't see the others either!! Normally they eat about 2 minutes after I've put them back in the brooder...but they were too busy charging about (well, two of the three were) but then, I cleaned them later today and so they may have already eaten.

 

I'll keep an eye out!! Thanks!!

[Roobaloo]

UPDATE - She's hurt - I just went up and she's shuffling about. I had a look at her, she can still move it and still has reflex reaction and will raise her foot if you place it with the toes curled under....but she won't put weight on it.

 

What can I do??? Could it be a bruise?? They've been leaping off the electric hen and trying to fly lately???

 

Please help!!! I'm gutted that I might lose her, especially after the disaster with the hatching eggs....!!

 

This is how she's sitting all day...

 

 

It's the leg on the right of the picture (her left leg) ...the pic doesn't show it clearly but she won't spread her toes out... (I'm holding her up btw)

[amateurkeeper]

Oh your poor chick - I'm so sorry I wasn't more worried about it being quiet!!

 

I've a copied the below from elsewhere on the site in the hope that it will help - I'm sure someone else will come along with more advice soon enough.

 

I hope your chick is okay, if you are really worried I would give the vet a call.

 

Sending you and the chick some love & healing thoughts!!! xxx

 

My chick’s legs look like they are dislocated, what can I do?

The floor of the brooder needs to have a non-slip mat on the floor which the young birds can grip onto to prevent them from “doing the splits‟ which leads to ‘splayed legs’. If they do get splayed legs you can use a plaster or transparent medicinal tape to tape the legs together which stops the legs from splitting apart, and keeps them close together. This must be kept on for a few days until the legs have come together and gained strength.

[Roobaloo]

Thanks - No need to be sorry...I was fairly dismissive when I saw her at first, It's only that I saw her shuffle that I realised something was very wrong.

 

They don't look splayed, she can stand on one leg and will sit with both legs underneath her...plus, I've been using anti-slip matting and I thought splayed legs were only a risk for the first few days??

 

 

I've spoken to my Vet surgery (not the actual Vet though) and they say they'd need to do x-rays etc...which they're reluctant to do on a chick of this age... but to call back tomorrow if I was still concerned (it's out of hours now)

[amateurkeeper]

Is your chick quite happy being sat, or is it cheeping alot/obviously in pain? If it's quite happy as it is, I'd leave it a few days - it might mend itself. Otherwise I'd get the x-rays done.

 

It might be worth giving any local breeders/farms etc. a call to ask their advice too?

 

**Hopes someone else comes along soon to give better advice....**

 

(might be better to re-post this with a new title re: the leg?)

[Roobaloo]

She's pretty quiet at the moment...I just hope she'll eat and drink - I've moved both food and water as close to the electric hen as possible so she doesn't have far to go.

 

I hope she's a fighter.

[amateurkeeper]

Hopefully it's just a bruise, and she'll be fine. You never know, tomorrow she may come running to you when you go see her and things will be as right as rain

 

Keeping my fingers crossed for you.

[scarlettohara]

No advice but fingers crossed for her

[Redwing]

Cut a little bit of cardboard a the size of her foot and tape her foot to it with the toes spread out as they should be (use micropore tape or a plaster) so you kind of make a 'shoe' for her

 

That may help

[Roobaloo]

I'll try the 'shoe', thanks Redwing.

 

I've had another look at her this morning, she has movement in the leg and strength as she pushed back as I tried to flex. I squeezed her leg and she shouted twice when I applied pressure just below her hock...but then didn't do it a third time.

 

She did 'grab' my had a little bit but then, she wasn't grabbing with her good leg.

Surely if it was broken or dislocated, she'd be screaming at every touch?

 

I'm even more worried how tired she is... I placed a saucer of chick crumb in front of her, she took two pieces and then just dropped her beak down in it and closed her eyes.

[Roobaloo]

Spoken to the vet - they think it might be a break and want to examine her - should I just take her alone or should all 3 go? I don't want to cause them unnecessary stress but I think the seperation alone might kill the injured chick.

 

Advice please!!!!

[amateurkeeper]

If she's really suffering on her own, then take the others with you - however it could be just as traumatising taking them all than not. I think your chick will be fine on her own for an hour, but if you have doubts then take them all.

 

I hope the vet can help your chickie and all is well. Give us an update when you get back.

[Lewis]

Being able to feel it is good - you can try and build up strength in in by picking her up + putting her back down, making her stand on the leg, repeat it a couple of times. Might be worth a try

 

I'd take her on her own

[Chucky Mama]

A would be very suprised if it was a break. Good luck ( I would only take the injured one too).

[Roobaloo]

Well...just got back from the vets...

 

I took all three in the end...I decided to take the one but as I put her in the carrier to settle and she started screaming then suddenly seemed to give up and just laid down, slightly on her side and closed her eyes. I put the other two with her and she sat up a bit and kept opening her eyes.

 

The vet examined her thoroughly, and said their was no dislocation or breaks...again said that they wouldn't be happy about x-raying her so if she has a small fracture, it would be safer to see if it'll heal itself or to cull her. He's convinced though that it was a soft tissue injury as she will put some weight on it, so has said to keep her warm and make sure the food and water is easily accessible and see how she goes.

 

I'm not sure who was more relieved that there wasn't anything very obviously wrong that couldn't be cured, me or the vet...! He said he was convinced once he saw the screen of his next appointment that he would be putting her to sleep then and there.

 

So they're all back home again, tucked under the electric hen and very tired. I'm a little more relaxed but very worried as she seems to want to just give up.

 

Fingers crossed.

[scarlettohara]

How is she today ?

[Roobaloo]

Not good. I don't know if she's just exhausted because of the effort to move or if she's not eating enough.

I tried the 'shoe' and she just flopped on her side and closed her eyes. I've taken it back off.

 

I'm convinced she's not going to make it but the vet said to give her a couple of days (to start healing)

 

I'm so gutted.

[Egluntyne]

Useful site **here** about chicken orthopaedics.

 

I'm wondering if the description of the slipped Achilles tendon fits the symptoms.

[Roobaloo]

I just tried the straightening the leg technique. As I pushed the upper leg back, she willingly straightened her leg back (obviously needed to stretch) but there was no change in her condition.

 

I'm starting to think it's foot rather than the rest as she's moving the leg but not the foot. Is the shoe the only option? How can I encourage her to stand with it on?

[scarlettohara]

Could you make her a sling to go underneath her to hold her up - she would need to have water/food near enough for her to reach.

[Roobaloo]

I'll try that...

 

What do I do about keeping her warm as she won't be able to regulate her temperature by moving??

[scarlettohara]

Perhaps position her next to something fleecy or pack lots of straw round her - straw retains heat quite well.