[mrs tweedy]

My broody has just hatched two chicks, nearly two weeks old now, but one cannot stretch out fully it's foot.  The claws seems to be curled up underneath, it is only the right foot, the left one is fine.  The chick is moving about on it but actually walks on the 'knuckles'.  I thought after a few days it might uncurl by itself.  The chicks are in a cardboard box, on snowflake wood shavings, under a heat lamp.  I removed them from the broody as she had already squashed two chicks.  Has anyone had any previous experience of this before, any help will be appreciated. thanks for reading.

[FiB]

not sure what others will say re it being 2 weeks old (might be less correctable at that age?) but Id be tmpted to splint - see pics in the link  - there is a little cardboard sandle that someone has made to splint a curled foot) http://www.accidentalsmallholder.net/forum/index.php?topic=34044.0  good luck fi

[jaykay]

I've made 'sandals' to good effect, to sort out curled toes.

I use washing-up bottle plastic. You then need to tape the toes in the right position, with unstretchy tape - the white micropore stuff is good, or zinc oxide tape, which is stickier. The one time it didn't work was when I used Elastoplast tape - too stretchy, allowed the toes to move too much.

Re-tape every couple of days, to allow for growth - cut tape carefully rather than pull. A bit left sticking to the toes is better than breaking them trying to pull it off! It comes off in due course.

[sh3ph3rd]

I don't think it's deformed as it's symptomatic of an injury, and you mentioned she'd squashed two already.

Agree with the other people who've replied already, splints are easy and useful and should fix it up. I've splinted for various injuries in babies and adults but not this particular one; two of my hens had it a different times, one recovered unassisted and the other died of complications that hit her while she was down. Best wishes.

[mojocafa]

I agree with possible injury, I hatched eggs earlier this year, 3 had deformed foot and they died within a week

[HesterF]

One of my ducklings has/had a deformed foot. It was walking as you describe - pigeon toed with the foot curled up. I took him to the vet (yes, overkill but I wanted to learn what to do for next time). They looked at splints but decided he was so small (only a couple of days old), they'd just use the tape. So they've taped it (they because it took two of them - tiny little duckling that he was) top and bottom so the foot is opened out properly. He's certainly walking on it normally. They reckoned I'd have to retape it every day or two because it would come off but so far it hasn't so I've not redone it (this was last Thursday so a week on). I do check it daily and will probably change it tomorrow to allow for growth. We're still not sure what the long term prognosis will be because he'll (or she'll) be a big duck and mine are not on water most of the time but it was worth a try and he's healthy and happy in every other way,

H

[sh3ph3rd]

So they've taped it (they because it took two of them - tiny little duckling that he was)

I've always found it easier to splint or tape an adult than a baby without assistance. I've managed, though, but it's easier with help to held them when they're so tiny, strangely.

[Bodger]

I've always euthansed any deformed chicks ASAP. This approach, while it  might seem cruel to some,  will appear to be a practical one to others.

[HesterF]

Changed the tape today on mine and let him have a run around briefly without it and he looked fine. Just thought I'd keep it on as a precaution. It certainly cost me more in vet fees than he's worth (or ever will be if he's a he - a duck might be worth it) but I'm doing this small scle at the moment and trying to learn as much as I can. If it means I can sort out a few by myself later, it'll be worth it. Remains to be seen what the long term outcome will be.....

H

[mrs tweedy]

Hi everyone,  thanks so much for all your advice.   Sadly, the chick died overnight.  The foot was a darker colour than the other and felt cold to the touch so I don't think there was any blood supply.  At least if something like this happens again, I will be well armed with all your help, and would attempt the splint as soon as possible whilst the foot/leg is still flexible.  Happily, the other chick is doing fine. thanks again.

[HesterF]

:-( Have you got anybody else to keep your lone chick company?

H