2 day old chicks developing leg problems

[Hoss&Karly]

Hi...joined the site because it seems we have so many questions we need answered. We have just hatched our first batch of chicks. We put 18 eggs in the incubator and ended up with 17 chicks. 2 needed some help in the end, but seem to be doing great now (24 hours later). Our issue is that some of our babies (4 of them so far) seem to be developing an issue with their legs (only one leg on each chick). For some reason the leg seems to be 'stuck'. They aren't extending them like they should be and they are hobbling around on 1 leg and then "resting" on the tucked leg.
They are in a nice warm brooder now and have constant access to food (medicated chick starter) and water. They seem to be eating a little and all are drinking normally. Are we missing something?
Please help! We are new to this and just want our little ones to be ok!

 

[Judy]

Welcome! You might try a search on spraddle leg with the blue search button above. I have no experience with this, but have read that people correct leg deformities with tape or a band-aid to hold the legs in position til they correct themselves.

 

[Mary-Margaret]

I agree with ddawn. I think they will make it and will surley be okay.

 

[Hoss&Karly]

Ok...thanks for the suggestions...I did read about correcting the issue with pipe cleaners and tape...just wondered if maybe we needed to be supplementing their feed with something? I will try the splint and see if that works for them.

 

[Celtic Chick]

What kind of floor do you have in your brooder? Newspaper causes all sorts of problems. They will keep slipping.
Use a thick (2-4") layer of pine shavings, not cedar.

 

[Hoss&Karly]

We had pine shavings at first but now I have laid a layer of paper towels over the top of that. I read somewhere that they need to learn the difference between their food and shavings before we put them into the shavings (about 3 days). They seem to be doing fine on the papertowels...but this condition started before I made the switch.
I have now put the bandaids on their legs (basically like little hobbles) to see if that will help bring their legs down. What I am seeing though is that their legs are 'tucked' under them rather than sticking out to the sides so I am wondering how effective this treatment is goin to be...