Bruised foot

[Nicos]

Little yellow chick was hobbling about a bit and pecking at it's foot- and I thought it had something stuck to it....but on closer inspection it's clearly bruised..mum must have been a bit eager at scratching around

So- I need to keep a close eye on it.

I'm a bit worried that if the chick keeps on pecking at itself it'll open up a wound.
Do you think it's OK to put purple spray on a chick so tiny....non of the other chooks are bothering with it- and mum's not noticed- yet.I'm just worried about it ingesting chemicals.....what would you do?????

[shirlthegirl43]

I would keep a close watch and see how it goes.

[lynda66]

yup, just keep an eye on it, wouldn't bother with the spray unless it opens any cuts, but chicks do peck their feet, cos they think they are for eating, apparently putting plenty of straw round stops them, cos their feet look like straw so they peck that instead

[Nicos]

Oh- Lynda!....what a brill idea!!!

It runs about without limping so it's clearly not broken, but when it stands still it picks it up- and then suddenly pecks like mad at it, squealing and runs about the place pecking at it like mad.

It's not bored- cos it was outside- and nibbling at 'the great outdoors' with mum and dads. I don't think it's frostbite either - cos it's on the top and it's not been out much.

I'm a bit worried having seen it self-harming

Did yours just stop doing it Lynda??? I'll certainly try the straw thing....thanks !

[lynda66]

yeah, they only did it for a short while, but maybe cos i had lots of straw in lol ..... it's probably banged it, and doesn't understand that pecking it makes it worse, maybe one of the other clumsy chooks stood on its toes

[Nicos]

Clumsy chook...hmm- that will be mom- she's scratching for food trying to teach it what to eat- problem is it's getting undivided attention- and she's fussing a bit much

[Nicos]

Here it is 'having a go 'at it....

and standing ......

[Nicos]

The farmers wife was just passing- and I dragged her in to see the babe- and she said..just leave it..it'll be fine!

When i said some more were due to hatch this weekend she picked up the eggs and shook them and reckoned there are 2 or 3 certainly viable- and the one with the X she'd chuck out.

[Flummery]

They reckon arnica cream is good for bruises - in chooks too. You can get it from any chemist.

[pipscariad]

I was going to suggest Arnica too, but Flummery beat me to it! Might be worth a go though if the little thing is still limping? Good luck.

[Nicos]

I'll definitely get some then- thanks! ( shops now closed until Tuesday!!!)