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Sometimes you'll hatch a bird(s) with a leg sticking out sideways or noticeably curled toes. I'm sure there are legitimate names for these issues, but we're going to say gimpy legs and curly toes.

https://files.catbox.moe/jrm21b.jpg

Usually it's just a bird or two, but poor genes and/or sketchy incubation can cause multiple to hatch this way. If it's one out of the 50+ you just hatched, just cull it. But, you can try to fix it if you can't live with doing what I said.

For the gimpy leg, tie them together like shackles. A bandaid works well, but it can be difficult to remove later. Some people use a hair tie with a piece of tape in the middle or simply use string.

https://files.catbox.moe/lvu0cl.jpg

For the curly toes, make a little sandle with a bandaid.

https://files.catbox.moe/uev3ik.jpg

Give it a few days and some observation. There's a good chance you'll save the little shit. Just be gentle, it's likely the smallest, most fragile animal you've ever held in your hand.

Sometimes you'll hatch a bird(s) with a leg sticking out sideways or noticeably curled toes. I'm sure there are legitimate names for these issues, but we're going to say gimpy legs and curly toes. https://files.catbox.moe/jrm21b.jpg Usually it's just a bird or two, but poor genes and/or sketchy incubation can cause multiple to hatch this way. If it's one out of the 50+ you just hatched, just cull it. But, you can try to fix it if you can't live with doing what I said. For the gimpy leg, tie them together like shackles. A bandaid works well, but it can be difficult to remove later. Some people use a hair tie with a piece of tape in the middle or simply use string. https://files.catbox.moe/lvu0cl.jpg For the curly toes, make a little sandle with a bandaid. https://files.catbox.moe/uev3ik.jpg Give it a few days and some observation. There's a good chance you'll save the little shit. Just be gentle, it's likely the smallest, most fragile animal you've ever held in your hand.

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[–] • 3 pts

I like your posts. Thank you for taking the time to make them.

[–] • 1 pt

Thanks!

I've been busy lately, so I'm slacking a little.

[–] • 0 pt

Hi friend! I was just thinking about you as I checked the color of the breasts of my birbs.

I think I have five males, three females, and the white Jenner.

Also it may be noted that the deformed legs are often the result of eggs that were not normal. For example, long and narrow or really short, almost ping-pong ball round.

I have never been able to save a chick from this deformity. I've tried with four. One made it to adulthood and did great, I named her Peg, as she hopped around like she was on a peg leg. The others were not able to make it to food and water so had to be culled.

For beginners: the other important thing with chicks is always put a ground that doesn't allow their feet to slip out from under them. It can cause splayed leg deformity post hatch. So no Tupperware, or wood if it's slick when damp.

[–] • 0 pt

I'm glad they're doing well. Those 3 girls will be busy in the coming months, I hope!

I could see oddball eggs hatching oddball chicks. I'm selective with my eggs, but I've still had this happen. I don't try saving any of them, though. I did fix a duckling by leaving it inside a toddler sock for a couple days. Saw it online and I'll be damned if it didn't work out.

You're right on avoiding slippery ground. I mentioned using sand as a base in my tutorials. Under the heat, it always stays nice and dry. Semi-deep hamster bedding works well, too.

Also, we're well into the negative temperatures here for the last week and looking at another week of it. My chickens are miserable, my ducks are fine (a little slower maybe), but my quail hop around and act like it's no big deal.

[–] • 0 pt (edited )

How often do you have to clean the sand for them until they're ready to go out of the brooder? Do you use something like a cat scooper? I'm sorry if you answered that and I missed it.

we're well into the negative temperatures here

Sounds absolutely dreadful. It was 74 here today. We keep getting a day of freezing, then several 60-70's. Perfect way to ruin fruiting trees.

Two weeks through to maturity are fine in those temperatures, just dry and out of the wind?

[–] • 0 pt

Mine only spend 7-10 days in brooder 1 before going on wire in brooder 2. It doesn't really require cleaning during that period. I use a cat scooper if necessary and also in the adult's sandbox.

I wouldn't risk anything under 7-8 weeks old in those temps. They're fully off heat by 3 weeks old, but that's only if off heat means outdoor temps of 50+.

Anything under 20 degrees and their poop freezes before falling through 1/2inch hardware cloth, btw.

[–] • 0 pt

Been considering joining your ranks. How would you go about culling? Not sure if I have the heart but I'm curious.

[–] • 0 pt

Subscribe and ask any questions you have. Anything homestead or yardbird related is welcome. Nothing is as cheap and easy and tasty as quail, though.

I'm not 100% sure there's a legal/moral guideline on how to cull a little chick. Hold it by the head and make a sharp motion similar to cracking a whip. If that's a little too personal, put it in a cup in the freezer for 15 minutes or so.

Ideally, after several generations of selective breeding this won't be something you see very often. If you do save one by means I described in the post, tag it with a mini zip tie so it can end up on a plate and not in your breeding stock.

For anyone else following along, I'm not a fan of culling baby animals. I'll butcher adults all day long for meat, but culling the young that would otherwise suffer is the right thing to do.

[–] • 0 pt

Thanks for the thoughtful response. Already subscribed and I'll start some posts of my own journey once I get started.

[–] • 1 pt

Good deal! There's a resource index of sorts as a sticky. You don't have to follow my instructions at all. I like cheap, easy, and being as lazy as possible. That's sort of the theme in most of my posts. Good luck.