Splayed Legged Chicks

I brought home my first chicks on Sunday. I bought 6 chicks: 3 Sussex, 2 Easter eggers, and a Japanese bantam. The chicks are 1 - 2 weeks old.
Once home, within a short period of time I noticed one of the Sussex staggering about, then another. Now they are much better but still staggering some. And their legs are splayed out.
My question is, should I hobble their legs closer together? What will happen to their legs if I don't? I am also wondering if perhaps I should cull them. My interests in the chicks are for pets and for eggs. But I also want healthy adult chickens.
I've read a lot of articles here on the BYC, about similiar conditions, but the cause has not been defined well, with a vitamin deficiency being the main suspicion. When I can get back into town tomorrow, I was going to get a vitamin suppliment.
'Appreciate any help and comments.

It's a bit late to treat splay leg, but I would go ahead and try since you have no choice. Vet wrap cut into strips works well to brjng the legs together with about 1 1/4 of space between them. They may need to be put in a chick chair or sling with feet touching the flore to get their balance. I hope you can help them

Why is it too late to treat the splay legs? Are the chicks too old?
One thing I have learned about picking out chicks is that I should have spent more time watching and choosing the chicks.

I would use a bandaide. Cut it lengthwise in 3 pieces (this will do 3 chicks). The gauze pad part should be the width between the legs wrap the sticky part around each leg. If they fall over straighten them back up. Make sure that they have a good surface to stand on. I use the rubber shelf paper that has a grid. It shouldn't take too long for them to get their balance. Good luck. It might take a week. I use childrens polivisol multiple vitamins without iron. Drop a drop on the edge of their beak. They should swallow. Don't force it into their open beak it could go into their lungs instead of their throats.

Thanks for the advise. I read in another thread where someone was giving their sick chick vitamins for babies. 1 drop.

KelleyRae said:

Why is it too late to treat the splay legs? Are the chicks too old?
One thing I have learned about picking out chicks is that I should have spent more time watching and choosing the chicks.

Click to expand...

.

Yes the chicks are too old. Usually this is done at hatch when they are soft. If you choose to do this, they may be trying to fly already, and will trip and fall.

jlashaw said:

.

Yes the chicks are too old. Usually this is done at hatch when they are soft. If you choose to do this, they may be trying to fly already, and will trip and fall.

Click to expand...

My book "Raising Chickens" says that if the splayed legs aren't corrected, the chicks will die. Will this be the fate of my 2 chicks? I'm concerned that the other chicks might start to pick on them as they stagger around and bump the other chicks around.

How old are they exactly? It could be a vitamin deficiency as well. I've seen vitamins do amazing things for chick's legs. Can you post a pic so I can see how bad they are? This will help al of us.

KelleyRae said:

My book "Raising Chickens" says that if the splayed legs aren't corrected, the chicks will die. Will this be the fate of my 2 chicks? I'm concerned that the other chicks might start to pick on them as they stagger around and bump the other chicks around.

Click to expand...

I would start them on vitamins immediately. Poly vi sol by Enfamil without iron is very important never give the iron vitamins. The way you describe them staggering, sounds like a Vitamin B deficiency. I know it sounds crazy but I had a chick with a leg stuck out I front of it. (I give Merk vitamin packets found at feed stores) I started her on Merks and within three days she was normal. Same thing with my chicks I hatched from a friends eggs. They're feet were turned in. Within a few days they were normal. But it's so important I can't stress this enough, do NOT put them on a slippery surface. No chips, not a cage floor, only shelf liner. It's $3 a roll and they grip it. I believe this helps them correct their their feet/ leg problems. People who hatch on this shelf liner don't get chicks with splayed legs because splayed legs happens when the chicks slip. I think I would bandaid their legs because I'd have to try everything before culling. I'd like to see a picture of their legs and feet. Their hocks too please.