leg problems with month old Turkey chick!!! ASAP

benjamin123 · Nov 9, 2014

Hi my month old Turkey chick hatched very late 3-4 days after the usual time so it was always going to be weak however it's legs have spragled one leg is strong whilst the other is spread out by its side. I have tried taping its feet together and even wrapping it up with a bandage to keep its feet in but nothing has worked the bandage or tape just falls off. I am at breaking point with it and I don't want to cause a prolonged death its just too cruel. Here are some pictures.

WildWyandott110 · Nov 9, 2014

i don't know much about turkeys...

but try tying string to each of it's legs or try taking it to a vet.

retlaw · Nov 10, 2014

Try zap straps.
Put one on each leg with a small rubber band between the two.
Make them tight enough on the leg that they won't come off but loose enough that you can cut them off with nail clippers.
The bird will fall over trying to stand up so then what I do is make a tight little box for the bird to be placed in that when it stands it can us the walls as support to keep it up right.
The box should allow the head to be over the edge but high enough that it can't hop out.
When the bird tries hoping out it strengthens the muscles and makes then work together.
I have had success with as little as 24 hours and some a day or two.
If it does work the bird has to be put down.

retlaw · Nov 10, 2014

Forgot to mention that the it works best at birth.
A month old might be to late.
Sorry.

WildWyandott110 · Nov 10, 2014

I can't bear to have a young chick die, regardless of if the legs get better or not.

retlaw · Nov 12, 2014

WildWyandott110 said:
I can't bear to have a young chick die, regardless of if the legs get better or not.

That's farming for you.
You have a responsibility to treat them in a dignified way.
Letting an animal suffer is not a choice.

benjamin123 · Nov 12, 2014

It died

FallingSkies · Mar 12, 2015

I have a chick who has this same problem. Tried splitting it but it went crazy. It is eating and healthy otherwise. It is 2 weeks this Sunday . Any help. It almost turns back the other way and now others are running and flying and stepping all over it.

WalnutHill · Mar 12, 2015

The one illustrated by the original poster looks to have a severe dislocation of the leg at the hip. Also, the legs were so very thin, they didn't look natural for a month old turkey.

Do you really think yours has the same problem? Perhaps if you posted photos you could get better advice.

I've had a turkey poult slip its hamstring tendon while running around and slipping on the grass. With this type of dislocation, the upper part of the leg will look fine, but the hock will often be lumpy looking, hot or swollen, will often be held out behind, it will be painful to the poult when flexed, and treating like spraddle leg won't help. This can often be helped.

FallingSkies · Mar 12, 2015

I have tried posting pic . Will try again. It just seems to be getting worse now. It is in with younger group of chicks in smaller area. If the pics won't go through can I email to you may be able to get them up

leg problems with month old Turkey chick!!! ASAP

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