Fixing Splayed legs

[frenchblackcopper]

Next is to actually roll the peachick up in the newspaper.It is easiest if you lay the chick in your hand with about 3" of newspaper on one side of the chick that you can flip over it's back,then tuck and begin rolling towards the longer end of yet unused newspaper.

 

[frenchblackcopper]

What your basically trying to accomplish is stuffing a sausage inside a toilet paper roll and keeping it secure.Once you think you have achieved this it's now time to check and be sure the peachicks legs are still under the body of the chick.If it has managed to wiggle them behind it's body,unwrap it and try again and use more "squeeze" as you roll. Oh yes,the peachick will let you knowit's not a happy camper and cheep-cheep like it's in a mouse trap,,but just let the exercise their lungs and go about your business. This is how the leggs should look from the back side of your open roll.

 

[frenchblackcopper]

Here is the open

end of the head side of the chick roll-up.

 

[frenchblackcopper]

The next part is to make the paper roll as tight as possible around the peachick so it does not wiggle free. I use a paper stapler and shipping tape. I first squeeze the paper down right behind the peachicks rump, then slide the excess newspaper into the stapler and put 3 staples across the back of the open roll.

 

[frenchblackcopper]

Next is the neck end and this has to be tight or the chick can get enough wiggle room to get out of the paper sleeve. Depending on how big around the excess paper is,determines if I put a staple on the bottom and top,or just on the bottom. Rememeber we're not going for comfort here,but to keep the chicks legs under it's body for at least one day. It's more less a complete body cast.

 

[MinxFox]

This is so cute, but very valuable information. I have always been worried about what would happen if I hatched a peachick with splayed leg. This topic should be a sticky!

Now I feel much better knowing that I will now know a good method for fixing a peachick's legs. The idea of just putting something to hold the legs close together never sounded to me like it would work, but the wrapping idea is really good!

Edit: So when it is all wrapped up, where do you put it? Does it go back in the brooder and do you keep it under a heat lamp or away from the lamp because the paper keeps it warm?

 

[frenchblackcopper]

If you do this the way I have, the paper will keep the peachick in a natural position with the flat side of the paper as the base. Be sure to staple the rear end of the chick in a horizontal way,then fold the excess paper over towards the peachicks back,then use tape to hold it down.Here you can see I had to roll up 3 peachicks tonight to get their legs corrected. They are all happy little campers and I moved the other chicks out of their group that had no issues so they will be left alone. I will dip their beaks in water in the morning and a few times at night,and they will pick at feed on the floor to eat by themselves. I will take pictures of these same 3 peachicks by the weekend to show how they progressed. It is amusing to watch them for the first time to stand up straight on their own,and take a few steps. That's what makes it worth your time to correct something that is easy to do.

 

[frenchblackcopper]

Minx,,yes into the brooder for a few days so it doesn't get picked or pecked on by others.

 

[zazouse]

i will surly try this, last year i spent 4 days with 1 chick i can not imagine 4 of them

 

[mandyok]

Great information. Unfortunately I may need to use it as we lost power for 3 hours the other day
Thank you so much for posting the pictures.