[mojocafa]

I have 3 Cochin chicks with deformed feet, one died quite quickly, the other two have been very lively, until today, one is failing as I type. The last one is still quite lively and behaving like the rest of the healthy looking chicks.

Any ideas as to what has happened, could I have prevented it, and can I save the remaining one

Thanks in advance for you suggestions
Mojo

[taz08]

post a piccy,,  it might help
#

[Bodger]

Deformed feet? Possibly genetic, but its more likely to be down to the wrong temperature in the incubator. Were they on time hatching ?

[mojocafa]

Taz can't post photo as I don't know how!!!

Hatched day 22 ,  8 chicks, the one that appeared to be failing earlier on has got a new lease of life again, so will see what the morning brings

[taz08]

any more news

[mojocafa]

The one that I thought was dying yesterday is still alive and seems to be getting stronger, eating , drinking and holding its own with other chicks
This chick malarkey is exhausting!

[taz08]

ohh first time is always the worst,,you get hooked .. i just put 12 eggs under a broody,,

[mojocafa]

The chickthatwas poorly died today, I have 1more with a deformed foot and it looks fine at the mo but is purpose we will just have to wait and see

Thanks for responding
Mojo

[in the hills]

Were they hatched in an incubator?


Our thermometer failed on our inccie on one occasion, resulting in an incorrect temperature for most of the incubation period for a batch of quail eggs. The eggs hatched but the chicks were weak and several had deformed feet. We lost most of them.


Have read that in-breeding can result in this sort of deformity and weak chicks. Another possibility???


Good luck with the remaining chicks 

[mojocafa]

They were in an incubator, 9 Cochin eggs, 5 scots dumpys,  all hatched, 3 Cochins had deformed feet, first to die was 3 days old,  today's one was 9 old, and I still have 1left who appears to be fine but will wait and see.
How soon after hatching did yours die, in the hills?
I got my eggs from my neighbour so I don't know about the inbreeding!

[in the hills]

Most died within the first 2/3 days. A couple survived but OH dispatched because as they got older and heavier it became apparent that they were beginning to struggle with mobility and would have suffered otherwise. 

[mojocafa]

Oh, ok so just because it's still alive doesn't necessary mean it will live?

[chrismahon]

I thought Cochins had 5 toes anyway -the breed standard. Illness could be weak parent's diet or much interbreeding as Cochins are now rather rare..

[mojocafa]

One of the toes is bent so sitting underneath pad of foot instead of splaying outwards, hope that makes Sense!

[in the hills]

I suppose ability to survive depends on the severity of the deformity .... eg. whether movement is too restricted, uncomfortable, painful, causes other birds in the flock to pick on that bird.


A friend breeds araucanas and her cockerel had an extra toe (growing out at an angle from one of his toes). He passed this on to all of his chicks. They all survived and she gave one of the hens to my daughter. The hen is fine and the extra toe causes no problems. Hopefully your chick will be okay  .