Spraddle Leg - Splay Leg Treatment Instructions

[peopleRanimals2]

We jus got our first 3 chicks yesterday. One of them has a moderate splayed leg. I looked up a way to fix this, because it seemed less painful than the band aid way.

the second photo was of her yesterday, shortly after we applied the rubber band/straw. This worked well, and the next morning she is doing better. The only problem with this was that this is the closest size of rubber band that we can find to fit is slightly too big. We have to keep re-applying it, and she hates it. Does anyone have any suggestions? The chick still has a slight straddle leg, and has formed the odd habit of sleeping like this:

I am worried for her, because sometimes her leg will be splayed, and sometimes she is fine. The treatment that we used was supposed to work after 24 hours, and we put it on last night. It is the next morning now. Even with the slight disability, my little girl is still at the top of the pecking order.
Any ideas? Please help.
Thanks in advance.

 

[Eggcessive]

We jus got our first 3 chicks yesterday. One of them has a moderate splayed leg. I looked up a way to fix this, because it seemed less painful than the band aid way. the second photo was of her yesterday, shortly after we applied the rubber band/straw. This worked well, and the next morning she is doing better. The only problem with this was that this is the closest size of rubber band that we can find to fit is slightly too big. We have to keep re-applying it, and she hates it. Does anyone have any suggestions? The chick still has a slight straddle leg, and has formed the odd habit of sleeping like this: I am worried for her, because sometimes her leg will be splayed, and sometimes she is fine. The treatment that we used was supposed to work after 24 hours, and we put it on last night. It is the next morning now. Even with the slight disability, my little girl is still at the top of the pecking order.

Any ideas? Please help.
Thanks in advance.

Hopefully it is just a splayed leg and not a slipped tendon. Chicks with that tend to put one leg out to the side, even when standing. The hock or elbow joint can become red and swollen. It is called different things like slipped tendon, perosis, but there is a deformity called Valgus-Varus deformity that may be the problem. For splay legs I would get some vet wrap or use a bandaid cut lengthwise. The vet wrap is cut into 1/2 inch strips and can be removed easily to re-apply if needed. It should remain on for 3-5 days or until the chick has learned to walk. Here is some info about splay leg treatment, and some about slipped tendons:
http://www.fresheggsdaily.com/2012/04/spraddle-leg.html
http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/02/spraddle-leg-in-baby-chicks-what-is-it.html
https://www.researchgate.net/public..._of_the_intertarsal_joint_in_broiler_chickens
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...chick-anyone-ever-try-to-fix-this-experiences
https://sites.google.com/a/poultrypedia.com/poultrypedia/poultry-podiatry

 

[peopleRanimals2]

Hopefully it is just a splayed leg and not a slipped tendon. Chicks with that tend to put one leg out to the side, even when standing. The hock or elbow joint can become red and swollen. It is called different things like slipped tendon, perosis, but there is a deformity called Valgus-Varus deformity that may be the problem. For splay legs I would get some vet wrap or use a bandaid cut lengthwise. The vet wrap is cut into 1/2 inch strips and can be removed easily to re-apply if needed. It should remain on for 3-5 days or until the chick has learned to walk. Here is some info about splay leg treatment, and some about slipped tendons:
http://www.fresheggsdaily.com/2012/04/spraddle-leg.html
http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/02/spraddle-leg-in-baby-chicks-what-is-it.html
https://www.researchgate.net/public..._of_the_intertarsal_joint_in_broiler_chickens
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...chick-anyone-ever-try-to-fix-this-experiences
https://sites.google.com/a/poultrypedia.com/poultrypedia/poultry-podiatry

Thanks so much! It has been almost 24 hours, and she was doing better, so i took off the wrap. She occasionally just steps to the side, and that's when her leg sticks out, but I will re-wrap it if it gets worse.

 

[PoultryPedia]

That's good you're treating this right away!

A leg hobble / brace needs to be on 2 1/2 to 4 days to give a chick a strong chance at recovery.

I STRONGLY recommend switching to the Band-Aid method. It is not painful if you use the following:

*** Special Note on Removing Tape from Legs, Feet & Toes ***
Use baby oil to gently and easily remove sticky tape.
Then use waterless instant antibacterial hand cleaner/sanitizer to amazingly easily clean off baby oil.

For sensitive or feathered legs, put a little piece of paper towel (to cover the tape's stickiness) on just the section of the tape that wraps around the chick's legs. Yarn might be another good material to try--It helps minimize catching on fluff. Watch out for hobbles slipping too much

From what I understand, using a rubber-band or elastic can be pretty hit & miss--works in some cases but not in others.

I've shared other critical info I've learned about treating Splay Leg on the Poultry Podiatry page on my website linked in my sig below, which may be helpful.

 

[peopleRanimals2]

That's good you're treating this right away!

A leg hobble / brace needs to be on 2 1/2 to 4 days to give a chick a strong chance at recovery.

I STRONGLY recommend switching to the Band-Aid method. It is not painful if you use the following:

*** Special Note on Removing Tape from Legs, Feet & Toes ***
[COLOR=0B5394]Use baby oil[/COLOR] [COLOR=0B5394]to gently and easily remove sticky tape.
[COLOR=0B5394]Then use waterless instant antibacterial hand cleaner/sanitizer[/COLOR] [COLOR=0B5394]to amazingly easily clean off baby oil.[/COLOR][/COLOR]

[COLOR=38761D]For sensitive or feathered legs[/COLOR], put a little piece of paper towel (to cover the tape's stickiness) on just the section of the tape that wraps around the chick's legs. Yarn might be another good material to try--It helps minimize catching on fluff. Watch out for hobbles slipping too much

From what I understand, using a rubber-band or elastic can be pretty hit & miss--works in some cases but not in others.

I've shared other critical info I've learned about treating Splay Leg on the Poultry Podiatry page on my website linked in my sig below, which may be helpful.

Thanks. This is my chick, Tiger, post rubber band treatment. Do you think that I should use the band aid treatment? I think that she is ok, but she occasionally steps out to the side and leaves the once-splayed leg behind. I think it is muscle memory.

She was a little later than the other girls to be perching on my finger, but she is younger, too. The poor thing doesn't like being picked up because of the leg trauma, but she is perching and curious now.

Thanks for all your help!

 

[Eggcessive]

Good luck with your chick, and hope she continues improving.

 

[PoultryPedia]

I would absolutely have the hobble on for 2 1/2 to 5 days. I recommend reading the section on Spraddle Leg on the Poultry Podiatry webpage --It will also give you other very valuable info for helping ensure her recovery.

Best wishes to Tiger!

 

[LovemyPekin]

My pekin duck babies took 2 days to hatch and one came out with his legs like this help how can i fix them

 

[thesdcowgirl]

I have a chick that developed this at about a week old. I've been treating her for going on 24 hours now, with no improvement. I hope she's not too old to fix. I've check to make sure the tendon is still in place and from what I can tell it is. She's smaller than the rest, but has plenty of appetite and fight in her. She is a partridge Cochin.

 

[thesdcowgirl]

I feel like maybe my brace isn't short enough. that leg still likes to go sideways... anyone else have this problem??