This is my absolute favorite method for fixing splay legs. Wanted to share in case it may help someone else. It works for both feather leg and clean leg chicks!
When you have a chick that is unable to stand or walk around properly within the first 24 hours, it can be helpful to get a brace on them. I have tried most methods but this is the one that I use every time now and it works very well for feather legged breeds like silkies and Cochins. I think that when put on properly, it is the most comfortable method for the chick.
Items needed: Scissors, fabric band aid, and strong tape (I prefer to use clear medical tape.)
Step one: Cut the band aid in half lengthwise so that you have two strips. Ensure that the cotton part of the band aid is exposed in the whole middle, and there is no sticky edge alongside it. If there is a sticky edge exposed, trim it off. The strip should have sticky part, cotton part, sticky part.
Step two: gently wrap the cotton part around the chick’s leg. Stick the two sticky “tails” from the band aid together. Only the cotton part should be surrounding the leg, and the whole band aid strip should be able to rotate around the leg. It doesn’t have to be perfect, as you can see here, I did a sloppy job. If you have someone to help hold the chick, it is much easier
Step 3: repeat step 2 on the other leg. You’ll notice that they are able to spin all the way around the leg without catching on any feathers. This is what you want! If the sticky part is catching the feathers it is much harder for the chick to move without having pain from their feathers being pulled.
Step 4: cut a small piece of medical tape - about 1.5” long. If it is too wide, you can cut it to be more narrow. Stick it to one of the strips in between the legs. Then put the other strip right on top of it and wrap the tape around. The legs should be straight up and down, not angled outward at all. For silkies or other bantams you want about 1” of space or less between the legs. For larger chicks, you may need a little more.
Congratulations, you have learned how to put the brace on! I keep a close eye on the chick for the first few hours with the brace on, and usually in 24 hours they are ready to have it taken off. If it is a severe case of splay leg, they should wear it for 48-72 hours. If you aren’t sure, you can remove the brace every 24 hours and then reapply another brace if needed.
The easiest way to see if the brace is still needed, is to just pull off or cut the medical tape only. Leave the bandaids on, then observe how the chick walks. If they need the brace still, just apply more medical tape so they are braced again. If they are walking okay, then cut off the band aids! Hope this helps with any future splay legs that you may have!
Immediately after putting on the brace, the chick can stand up and start to hobble around.
When you have a chick that is unable to stand or walk around properly within the first 24 hours, it can be helpful to get a brace on them. I have tried most methods but this is the one that I use every time now and it works very well for feather legged breeds like silkies and Cochins. I think that when put on properly, it is the most comfortable method for the chick.
Items needed: Scissors, fabric band aid, and strong tape (I prefer to use clear medical tape.)
Step one: Cut the band aid in half lengthwise so that you have two strips. Ensure that the cotton part of the band aid is exposed in the whole middle, and there is no sticky edge alongside it. If there is a sticky edge exposed, trim it off. The strip should have sticky part, cotton part, sticky part.
Step two: gently wrap the cotton part around the chick’s leg. Stick the two sticky “tails” from the band aid together. Only the cotton part should be surrounding the leg, and the whole band aid strip should be able to rotate around the leg. It doesn’t have to be perfect, as you can see here, I did a sloppy job. If you have someone to help hold the chick, it is much easier
Step 3: repeat step 2 on the other leg. You’ll notice that they are able to spin all the way around the leg without catching on any feathers. This is what you want! If the sticky part is catching the feathers it is much harder for the chick to move without having pain from their feathers being pulled.
Step 4: cut a small piece of medical tape - about 1.5” long. If it is too wide, you can cut it to be more narrow. Stick it to one of the strips in between the legs. Then put the other strip right on top of it and wrap the tape around. The legs should be straight up and down, not angled outward at all. For silkies or other bantams you want about 1” of space or less between the legs. For larger chicks, you may need a little more.
Congratulations, you have learned how to put the brace on! I keep a close eye on the chick for the first few hours with the brace on, and usually in 24 hours they are ready to have it taken off. If it is a severe case of splay leg, they should wear it for 48-72 hours. If you aren’t sure, you can remove the brace every 24 hours and then reapply another brace if needed.
The easiest way to see if the brace is still needed, is to just pull off or cut the medical tape only. Leave the bandaids on, then observe how the chick walks. If they need the brace still, just apply more medical tape so they are braced again. If they are walking okay, then cut off the band aids! Hope this helps with any future splay legs that you may have!
Immediately after putting on the brace, the chick can stand up and start to hobble around.
