Before I even took Gutsy9 to the vet today, I did a bit of research and discovered that his feet are slightly splayed, especially one, mostly due to being brought up inside rather than outside. The injury to his toe is insignificant in comparison to the structural damage caused by him mostly walking on a floor instead of grass and dirt.
The vet gave me some calcium mix for Gutsy9 (which of course he won’t eat!) but she and her consultant seemed to think his legs might never be normal. The photo I posted of Gutsy9 on the table was taken a few weeks ago. Since then, all of his toes have gradually become crooked and one leg goes backwards instead of forwards. It is possible, that he was born with a defect but I don’t know.
What I do know, however, is that he is unlikely to ever be able to survive outside. I took him out for 3 hours this afternoon and, if I hadn’t been watching, he would have been pecked to death by the adult peas and the gang, he would have drowned in the pond, or he would have been taken by a crow.
He is sitting on my lap now, nearly asleep, but cheeping more than usual. His legs don’t seem strong enough to hold his growing body and I am worried that he might be in pain.
Ming and I will decide tomorrow. I think we will have to put Gutsy9 down.
jmgoyder 
Oh Julie, I am so sorry. I know that Gutsy9 has brooding a lot of joy to your life, and it is NEVER easy to say goodbye to a beloved animal. Keeping a good thought…
Still not sure what to do.
There is still a bit of hope.
Good grief, that darn autocorrect–it was supposed to say “brought a lot of joy”–grrrrr…
Julie, My heart goes out to you, your facing a difficult decision, that will have an impact. But as we know important decisions are always difficult. I am sure you and Ming will make the appropriate one, considering your needs and those of Gutsy. — Take care, Bill
I’ve had an idea!
Oh that’s tough. Tough indeed. Is there someone perhaps, with less on their plate, who may wish to take him in and raise him? I’ve had wonderful people take and raise birds, calves and a lamb that all needed help beyond what I could give them.
It takes strength, wisdom and kindness to end the suffering of another. Thinking of you all, and wishing you courage for the journey, and peace in your heart, no matter what your decision.
Much love to you xx
I am going to try what Rachel suggests.
I think that’s a great idea. We had a baby magpie who’s feet and legs greatly improved when we added calcium and other birdy nutrients into his diet. Fingers crossed for you and Gutsy xx
This gives me hope!
I’m so sorry
Not giving up yet!
So don’t like this news. All strength in making that decision.
Reprieve
I’m sorry to hear this news Julie, but know that you & Ming will make the right decision.
Thinking of one’s own emotional pain before the physical health of a feathered friend fails, would be unthinkable.
Kindness takes many forms and ending suffering before it becomes such that Gutsy could no longer stand would be one Kindness that you could deliver with a clear mind, if not an empty heart.
Still trying to figure it out!
Oh no. I am so sorry. My thoughts are with all of you.
Thanks, TBM.
What did the vet say? Did they offer any hope? Maybe make a pen for him nearby on grass
You are a genius!
Sure I know 😉
😦
I am so sorry… How sad story. Not easy decision I know, my thoughts are with you too. Love, nia
Thanks, Nia.
Oh I’m so sorry Julie, not a fun thing to have to decide. I know you will make the right decision though… HUGS
I hope so.
I’m just thinking enough already…I mean Gutsy9 was a bright spot for you guys and now this condition…well it must kinda punch the air out of you. (((HUGS)))
I am so sorry. You and Ming will make the hard decision and whatever it is it will be the right one. Gutsy-9 is extremely lucky to have a mother like you.:)
I have put my thinking cap back on.
Oh, no. This is so sad. I’m sorry.
Gonna try something today so all is not lost.
Oh, that is sad, but possibly kinder in the end than the life that would lie ahead. Difficult decision. 😦
Amazingly, his leg seems a bit straighter today.
Oh no I don’t want to hear that…
Haven’t decided yet.
Aww, that’s terribly sad 😦 Still it’s better than him living in pain. You’ve shared some lovely times, and he’s brought smile to lot’s of people’s faces through your blog as well 🙂
Poor fella, he won’t be forgotten if you guys decide to put him down!
Take care.
Rohan.
Thanks Rohan.
Julie! Go here first before you decide! It may not be too late.
http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/02/spraddle-leg-in-baby-chicks-what-is-it.html
Thank you Lynda!!!
😀
(((hugs))) to you and Ming
Oh thank you!
We’ve grown as you have to love Gutsy9, but every ‘owner/parent’ of a beloved ‘pet’ needs to at some point make a decision like you’re faced with….If you need to, just realize what a special life he has had with you regardless of how long..and better you do it than he faces a not so pleasant demise…thoughts are with you Julie and Ming…Diane
Thanks, Diane.
Probably going to be harder on you than on Gutsy.
Yes.
Years ago I found a baby Blue Jay that had “fallen out of the nest” and took it in. I raised it but it also had weak legs and couldn’t perch well. The vet told me that the mother probably saw this and pushed it out of the nest on purpose because there is a congenital malformation in some birds that the mother may have noticed. They can’t afford the energy to raise a bird that is deformed. I hadn’t noticed anything wrong and suspect it really was a vitamin D deficiency, which has now been found to contribute to weakness in the legs. It has been lovely to hear about the adventures of little Gutsy-9 and I don’t envy you the decision. Perhaps he’ll start eating the calcium chow and it will help.
He has started eating the calcium! What happened to the Blue Jay?
Oh, Julie, I am sorry. It’s so hard to take this decision. Gutsy has been quite special to you both.
Thanks, Kate.
Jules, I am so sorry. I know he is your little feathered baby.
Thanks Susan.
Oh dear. That kind of decision isn’t easy.
Awful.
Oh no. I can’t “like” this post. So sad. I’ll be thinking of you and wishing comfort and strength.
Thanks, Trisha.
oh that is just so sad. What a terrible thing to have happen
Thanks, Terry.
Julie, I’m so sorry for what you and Gutsy9 are going through. Many hugs to you. What a sweet little blessing he’s been.
Thanks Luce.
Oh my goodness Julie ~ this is so sad. The vet thinks it is really because he did not get to walk in natural environment through critical developmental period?? Or might he have just had this deformity from birth? I am keeping Gutsy9 and you and Ming in heart and prayer while you consider what to doe from here ~ xoxo RL
Still figuring out what to do.
I am crying over here for you, for Ming, for Anthony and most of all for little 9. I know he has brought so much joy to you all but he has also managed to brighten many a day for me too.
There is now a shred of hope!
😦
Among the hardest decisions of my life has been to have 3 of my dogs put down. I’m sorry. You will do what’s right for him, I know.
Thanks, Victoria.
So sad news …. what a decision to take for you both. It has been a lovely journey I have been able to share .. with Gusty9 – I’m going to miss him! Heartbreaking news …. but you guys knows you birds better then we do.
Thanks Viveka.
NOOOOO! I’m so sorry, Julie.
Thanks Meagan.
I’m so sorry, Julie 😦 Sometimes it’s kinder to do that than to let him suffer…
So hard.
😦
To put it bluntly, that sucks. Darn it.
It sure does.
So sorry Julie.
Thanks Elizabeth.
No poor Gutesy that is such terrible news but if it’s for the best then it has to be
Thanks Joanne.
I’m so sorry my friend….
He might be okay – new plan!
Julie – I hope the pen works. When we were kids we hatched some geese and ducks in an incubator. One goose hatched while we were away for the weekend and the incubator was too short for it to stand upright. It’s legs were splayed and it was unable to stand. My mom used popsicle sticks to splint the gooses legs together so it could stand. It took about a week, but the goose recovered and lived a normal life.
This gives me hope too!
It’s so hard when decisions like this have to be made. But, as so many noted, Gutsy’s dependent on you to do the right thing for him. So many little creatures die so soon, but it’s nature’s way of caring for them – and for the whole flock, or herd, or covey. When we rescue one that nature would have let go, sometimes we just have to bow to her wisdom.
I just looked at some earlier photos of G9 and can see now that one leg (quite apart from the toe injury), was wonky to begin with – argh, I am so stupid!
Oh no! That makes me so sad. I can’t imagine how you must be feeling.
New idea now.
Praying for you.
BE ENCOURAGED! BE BLESSED!
Thank you so much!
Julie, I am so sorry. I have just found that your posts have been going to my Spam… it hurt me that I didn’t know that all this time. I know it now. Love, Gloria/Granny Gee
All ok!
:)))