Curled toes - Day old Araucana - How long to wear the shoes please ??

I have 4 Araucana that I assisted as the air cells were way to small and it was too late in the incubation to correct it. I had lost too many chicks as a newbie to incubating and have managed to save 4 of 5 that I expect would have drowned after pipping internally given the limited air cell.

Three of the chicks had curled toes and I made some pipe cleaner shoes (http://www.unitedpeafowlassociation.org/PeachickOrthopedics.html) and attached using wound dressing tape.

I read 8 hours would fix, but have had limited success after 12.
One chick had a minor curl in the outer toe on one foot, and this correction is pretty much the same since removing the bandage.
Another chick with more pronounced curling has regained the curl after about 4 hours.
I have yet to remove the shoe from the chick with toes that were all curled under.

I don't want to leave them on too long as the alignment is difficult to get perfect and I don't want to do more damage than good.

How long do I leave the shoe on for before removing?
I am happy to reattach the shoes, but it is stressful on the little guys and want to avoid doing it more than necessary.. poor little sweet things.

I am not sure. I have never had experience with that. Sorry. Good luck!

firstly don't worry too much about it. Basically the feet need exercise, so shoes are going to prevent exercise and so you use them sparingly. To get the feet to relax into place, having the chicks perch a lot of the time is not going to do them any harm.

Using something on part of the bottom of the cage like a rack for drying dishes, or a wire rack type fridge shelf or something else which lets them perch some of the time, exercise the foot, and won't cut their little feet, that'd be the go.

Also there is no perfect position for chooks feet, as they get stronger they'll pretty much grow into what the chick needs.

advice may vary if you can post pics though.

I'm reading that it can take a week for the bones to set... I would let them perch if they are able to do so and that would help them to straighten up naturally, otherwise the shoes for a week, or better is a mix of both.

Hmm, haven't thought to try a perch. The toes are so folded under that the chicken is walking on the top of them. Have reset in shoes...

mm, more straightening first then