Vets have been pretty creative in saving life of Nicky the chicken

WHEN this chook (only just) survived its owner’s unsuccessful attempt to put it down the “old-fashioned way”, vets were forced to step in with some pretty creative care to save the day.

A FIVE-WEEK-OLD chick has made a miraculous recovery after its former owner allegedly tried to wring its neck following a cat attack.

The Polish-cross breed was left unable to stand and was repeatedly getting its neck tangled in its wings.

Dr Emma McMillan from the Brisbane Bird and Exotic Veterinary Service fitted the chick, dubbed Nicky, with a lightweight foam neck brace and put the animal on an intensive physiotherapy schedule.

Veterinary nurse Maddie Rienecker, 27, who has taken Nicky under her wing, said the unusual injury had only affected Nicky’s muscles, not the spine.

She said the well-meaning previous owner found the chick after the cat’s attack and, in a panic, attempted to euthanise it the “old fashioned way”, by wringing its neck.

Realising she had failed, the chick was then rushed to a vet in Gatton. From there it was transferred to exotic animal vet in Greenslopes.

Nicky the chicken has received some intense veterinary treatment after a previous owner tried to wring its neck.

While the previous owner was trying to do the right thing, it created terrible problems for Nicky.

“At rest, the top of his head would sit on the ground,” Miss Rieneker said.

“He’d shuffle around backwards in circles because it’s all he could do.”

Without treatment, he would have died.

The young bird was too delicate to put under anaesthetic for an X-ray, so Dr McMillan decided to try the neck brace.

Miss Rienecker said it was on for a week and taken off daily for physiotherapy, which consisted of making a fun game with high value treats that encouraged the bird to stretch and use its neck muscles.

“When he first grabbed for the food, it would take him a few goes,” she said.

The chook can now walk and eat on its own, though it was anticipated he would always have a head tilt.

Staff from the BBEVS wrote on their Facebook page that euthanasia should only be done by vets and that there were options available if financial difficulty was a factor.

“Should you have an animal that requires euthanasia, then please take it to a veterinary practice for a compassionate and humane process,” the post states.

“If finances are strained, the animal may be taken to the RSPCA at Wacol.”