These treatments have been tested and proven effective. I developed them for peafowl but they may be used for any poultry. The key to success is to begin treatment promptly. In some cases delay will kill or cripple the chick.

CROOKED TOES: Sometimes a peachick hatches with toes rolled into a fist. They may straighten out on their own in the first day of life. If they do not do so, I make a CHICK SHOE (see illustration below) from black pipe cleaner available in the crafts department at Wal-Mart. I use black ones because bright colors are more likely to be pecked by other peachicks. One packet of Westrim Crafts Chenille stems costs 89 cents and will last for years.

CHICK SHOE    Not Actual Size

Any kind of half inch wide tape can be used to attach the CHICK SHOE to the toes, but I prefer Johnson and Johnson First Aid clear tape. I cut a piece a quarter inch long for the middle toe. I cut another piece the same length and split into two quarter inch-wide pieces for the other toes. Eight hours of treatment is usually enough time to end the problem on a day-old peachick.

In the 1995 hatch, I had a number of peachicks with a kink in the outer toe of one or both feet. They were well past a week old when I decided that I must do something about it. I made HALF SHOES of black pipe cleaner. I tore off a quarter inch-wide stripe of duck tape several inches long and secured the HALF SHOE to the middle and the outer toe. Several days of treatment were needed. Some of the HALF SHOES came off and had to be taped on again, but all treated peachicks had straight toes at the end of the treatment. There is a young peacock that I missed treating. Now it is too late and he will always have a kink in his outer toe.

HALF SHOE Not Actual Size

ACHILLES TENDON OUT OF THE GROOVE: When the Achilles tendon slips out of the groove on the hock joint, a peachick will not be able to straighten its leg. The problem needs prompt attention because the struggling peachick will put its weight on the hock joint which will damage the skin and cause swelling in the joint. The tendon can be pushed back in place with just one finger or a very gentle squeeze between the thumb and index finger. Sometimes just one treatment will give a complete cure that seems like a miracle. Other times several treatments are needed. Stubborn cases require advanced treatment that is too difficult to explain here. I treated both legs of a peachick for two weeks; She grew up to be a healthy peahen.

Leg Injury Is there anything I can do?

The poultry orthopedic chair has several uses. Some of the first ones that I ever made were for paralyzed chicks and the purpose was to prevent these chicks from damaging their leg bones and joints in their futile struggle to walk. Some of the chicks that sat in the chairs did recover and lead normal lives. Those that died had a more comfortable death. These need rest in a chair until the swollen joint can recover. Often there is skin damage, too, which is a serious health hazard to the chick My chairs are made of small plastic soda bottles or Pepto Bizmal bottles with two leg holes and a hole for manure to fall through. Remove neck of bottle with a hacksaw, and cut the holes with razor blade or knife made for hobby crafts. Pad this with sponge type carpet liner or cut up one of those things that slide over cold drink cans to keep them cold. Support this chair body in a Kleenex tissue box. Cut holes in this box so that you can see the legs of the chick that will sit in the chair. Often a chick will try to flop out of the chair. To prevent this I place a small sponge over its back and tie it down. (This answer was provided courtesy of D. C. Townsend - your 'Friendly Poultry Orthopedist')

Another Ortho Success
Posted by butchieOK on 6-27-07

I had a late hatch that was flowndered. laying on its side, cant stand up or walk, and just lays there kicking. made a ortho box like i had done for my goosling in a previous post. withing two hours he was staying on his feet without falling over. 4 hours was walking with the assistance of the sides of the box. 24 hours toes were streight and was able to stand and walk on his own. posting two pics. this is before we put him in rehab.

With keets so small i had to add a divider to get the box narrow enough.