kinsk Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 Our first hatch has been a mixed bag. Out of 18 eggs all 6 of our Welsummers came out and are a bunch of little gannits. 2 out of the 6 bought in light sussex hatched and are doing well. Only 1 of the bought in legbars hatched and really isn't doing well. They have all been on corrugated cardboard with shavings as I was paranoid about them doing the splits. This little one though is not doing well. All incubator chicks. Earlier in the week we did try the hobble approach which seemed to help initially. It was a bit of a temporary job, and at the rate they grow I wanted to change it. It's leg seems to be completely dislocated, one is fairly straight and the other is just out to the side. I've tried twice again since but a hoop round it's legs just falls off and anything tighter the little thing can't do anything, just falls over. The others are growing so fast and I am guessing will see it as fair game any day now. Am I right in thinking there isn't really anyway forward for this little chick? It's still eating and drinking, but quite bluntly what's the best thing to do? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 Bluntly, if you are not going down the vet route, the kindest thing would be to cull it. Not pleasant, I know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purplemaniacs Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 We had one very similar despite our efforts one leg was not right, it was eating and drinking but it couldn't move about without using its wings and it was starting to get a sore tummy so we had to make the hard decision. As you say, the others were getting bigger and I was worried and I didn't want them to attack the poor little thing. So I had to make that very difficult decision, DDs boyfriend sorted it for me, I am sure it was the right thing to do but it is a hard decision to take. Chrissie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 Usually there is only a big chance of success if mended early I would also cull it I'm afraid I've had a few cases where I have tried to fix splayed legs. after much trial and error I have found that the best thing is to spot it very early while the chick is still in the incubator, hobble the legs with sticky plaster/micropore and place it back in the incubator- as you say they cant really move too well if you do this but while in he incubator they spend nearly all their time asleep anyway so even if they lay on their side they will be ok. When moving to the brooder I remove the tape. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kinsk Posted May 22, 2012 Author Share Posted May 22, 2012 Thank you everyone for your advice. I've had a few cases where I have tried to fix splayed legs. after much trial and error I have found that the best thing is to spot it very early while the chick is still in the incubator, hobble the legs with sticky plaster/micropore and place it back in the incubator- as you say they cant really move too well if you do this but while in he incubator they spend nearly all their time asleep anyway so even if they lay on their side they will be ok. When moving to the brooder I remove the tape. Excellent tip, thank you. I suppose it's all a learning curve but feel like I've let this little chick down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miller30 Posted May 23, 2012 Share Posted May 23, 2012 I hatched a chick out on sunday left it in the incy by the morning it had splayed legs so i took it out moved it to the brooder to rest for a while and then tried using micropore tape which i couldnt get to stay on so i went on ebay and ordered leg band correctors but couldnt stand to see the poor little thing in the brooder struggling to move so i got a piece of wool and tied it around its hocks in a bow within 10 mins it was walking around i kept checking on it every half hour just to make sure the wool wasnt rubbing i cut the wool off last night and it is fine the legbands arrived this morning and now i dont need them but i have them just incase of a next time leanne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
