There's a special kind of love that makes you rig a tiny sling for a chick with a bum leg, and we are absolutely here for it. This isn't just chicken-keeping; it's full-on feathered-friend hospice care, and krishnadawg is asking the exact right questions. When you're already mixing B complex and checking poop like a detective, you've earned a straight answer: yes, the feet should barely touch the ground in a sling, just enough to take the weight off the bad leg without letting the good one dangle. Too high and she's just hanging there, panicking. Too low and you've defeated the purpose. This kind of hands-on, learning-as-you-go energy is exactly what we love about this community, the same spirit that had someone else telling us These pretty lil boys have my heart: and my nerves and another reader embracing the Morning clucks and toddler commentary: my kind of egg-citing chaos. We're all just out here, slightly terrified and deeply committed.
Here's the thing about slings: they're a brilliant short-term fix, but they're not a solution. A chick that can't stand is either dealing with a slipped tendon (common in fast-growing birds), a nutritional deficiency (you're already on the B vitamins, good instinct), or an injury. The sling buys you time to figure out which one it is, but it also creates pressure points on the wings and chest if left on too long. Our take? Use it for 20-30 minute sessions, three or four times a day, and put her on a flat, non-slip surface in between, a yoga mat or a towel works wonders. Watch that left leg carefully. If she starts putting weight on it after a few days of sling therapy, you're golden. If not, a vet who sees poultry is worth the drive. First-time chicken keeping is a crash course in triage, and you're passing with flying colors.
The practical takeaway is this: your sling height is correct when the chick's body is supported and her toes just graze the floor, like she's standing on tiptoe. If the entire foot is flat, she's still bearing weight. If the toes curl under, she's dangling. Adjust the hole size so her wings aren't trapped, and make sure that food-and-water station you're building is right at beak level, no bending, no reaching. You're already doing the electrolyte-and-egg routine, which is cluck-tastic for energy, but check that the egg is cooked (raw white can interfere with biotin absorption). And keep an eye on that curious, alert attitude, that's your best sign. A depressed chick hides symptoms. A curious one is fighting. You've got a fighter, and you've got a sling that just might be high enough. Now watch her toes.