7 week old tukey w/splayed leg..am I doing this right??

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Turkeyrangler

Turkeyrangler

Songster
9 Years
May 9, 2010
533
8
131
By Lake Superior
OK, when he/she was a week old I noticed that this one was a bit knock kneed so I corrected it at that time. I used the band aide method and after a few days everything seemed good so I left it alone. This last week at week seven I noticed that the left leg was again turned out almost at a 90 degree angle and the knees were again close together. I found this method online http://sites.google.com/a/larsencreek.com/chicken-orthopedics/ and figured it couldn't hurt since the other option was putting him/her down. Sorry, but I don't have a before pic. Here are some pics from the first day which is today. I have a block of sponge between the knees and hobbles at the hocks. I've isolated this turkey from the others and it is eating, drinking and pooping fine. If anyone has suggestions let me know. This is not a meat bird and is a pet. Here are some pics of it hanging out with me tonight. I placed a bit of food and water with electrolytes and vitamins and it is drinking and eating just fine. I used a Rubber band for the hocks after reading about it online, but I don't have the link right now. I'm really hoping that this will work. I plan t take him/her to work with me and keep him/her under my desk in a box so i can watch him/her. Do you think this will work? It is an older bird and I'm trying to do whatever I can. It's VERY friendly and like to hang out with me. Of course the one that I am attached to is having problems. It is able to stand and get around just not in these pics. The legs appear to be in the correct position at the moment.

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That's gotta work. Great job and a compliant patient. I assume it is still on 28%-30% starter feed. Only thing I can think of is to use a lot of padding in the bottom of your turkey transport carrier, and keep it covered at work.

Good luck to you both!
 
I am using at least 3-4 inches of pine shavings with shelving clothe on top I used in the incubator. This bird has never been in a slippery surface, so I'm confused at why he is having these problems. The others are doing just fine. He is healthy in every other way so I hope he makes it through this. He started on 28% game bird starter and dropped it to 24% turkey starter after I noticed this. I thought that maybe he was getting too much protein and growing too fast. Am I thinking this out wrong?? Again any suggestions would be appreciated. BTW-he is a Domestic Eastern Wild and does not seem to be growing any larger than the others.

Ivan... I will be transporting in a very nice carrier with plenty of padding. He will be covered, but can still see me which me which seems to calm him down. I do have a great boss. When she heard of this she said "take care of your baby."
 
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Gotta love a boss like that ... bring her a bouquet when you can!
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ETA: and yes, I hope your little one makes a full recovery. I have one turkey hen (1 yr. old April 16th) who thinks she's either a chicken or a human; she hasn't yet decided, and she is such a sweetheart! I never thought a turkey could be so endearing.
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Since it is able to stand I'm more than a little hopeful your efforts aren't for naught. We had a BBB that had both curled toes and horrible spraddle leg (started it in cup - keep legs straight/little wt. bearing - taped/splinted). He was able to walk pretty normally at three months, but after starting to put on wt. - and we restricted the diet - he decided that he had to fly, unfortunately he had to land (leg twisted). We started with the splints again but after another month and a half he showed little interest in standing and was obviously a depressed turk (wouldn't even take grapes - his favorite).

Just limit any vertical activity and keep us posted.

Feed is fine. Get a bottle of Polyvisol Enfamil vitamins (iron free formulation). Try 3-4 drops a day for a week and taper off (some of these orthopedic problems are vitamin related).
You could also try Aspirin at 5mg. per kilo three times a day (if any inflammatory contribution to problem).

Again, best of luck!
 
Thanks for the replies. He is a Domestic Eastern Wild so I'm hoping that weight will not be an issue. He only has room to stand in the brooder that he is in so he can't fly right now. Anyone have any idea how long he will need to be hobbled like this? I hate doing this to him, but don't have much other choice right now. He seems to be doing good this morning, but I had to rig his water so he doesn't knock it over or get it full of shavings. He can stand, but walking is a challenge for him with the upper hobbles on.
 
We undid ours once a week to check progress and rewrap/splint.

You might want to download this book (think the info that might be useful is in the chapter on trauma med). The vet that wrote it works with exotics, but there is a chapter on Gallliformes and an execellent formulary.
Click on the top thumbnail to download the entire book: http://www.avianmedicine.net/ampa.html
 
Thanks for the link Ivan. Lots of good info. I had to change the rubber band. Even with a strong one the leg foot wants to swing out. I really hate to restrict him that much, but if I don't this is not going to work. He is still very alert, eating and drinking fine. My male shar pei is keeping him company so he is not lonely. I couldn't take him to work today because I had a lot of running to do, but I'll be in the office all day tomorrow. I really like my boss. She let a co-worker bring a goat to work for the day not too long ago so there was precedence for my case...
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I almost have my run completed. Half covered tonight. Everything will be done this weekend...here's a link. https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=370053
 
Hate to say but the hobbles are not working. He is too strong and gets them all twisted. Does more harm than good. He can still get up on his good leg and get to food and water, but can't get up on the roost at this point. We are seeing a vet on Monday. He is an old vet who has seen everything and likes a challenge. We'll see what he says. I keep telling myself that I'm taking a turkey to a vet only because this is the coolest bird I have ever seen. Hangs out with me, likes good music(can tell by the head bob and the chirping). If he didn't have this personality I wouldn't be trying so hard. Wish me luck.

BTW- If he doesn't make it I have put him out in the run to pick bugs and grass. I figured that if it his time then he should know more than being in a brooder. He is a tough little SOB and I'll make him as comfortable as i can as long as i can.
 

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