baby chick dropped and leg sore

[catterbug]

Our 3 week old RIR was dropped today. She seems fine other than I notice she lifts her leg sometimes as she walks or stands. Is it just sore or is it broken? How do you know when a chicks leg is broken and what would you recommend I do?

 

[catterbug]

I was just watching my RIR and she seems to be walking on it but it is a bit stiff looking. Do I need to be concerned? She does have a slight limp too. She was just eating ok.

 

[chickensioux]

If she is using the leg, most likely it is not broken. Is there swelling or discoloration? She probably landed on it strange and it is sprained or bruised. She will be ok if she is eating and drinking. Just keep an eye on it and her for any signs that she is in alot of pain (not eating, listless, etc.). Good luck.

 

[catterbug]

How do you know if it is broken? Swelling and discoloration? Also I can't find anywhere what splayed leg is. What is that?

 

[chickensioux]

If it were broken it might be misshapen, discolored, she wouldn't be using it at all, she would be holding it up or not walking at all. Splay leg or spraddle leg usually occurs shortly after birth. One or both legs will stick out to the side. It can caused by chicks being on a slippery surface like newspaper. I will post a pic of spraddle leg.

This is pretty severe spraddle leg in both legs.

This is how to fix spraddle leg. Sometimes it works, sometimes not.

 

[catterbug]

Thank you so much. Your post has put me at ease. I have been watching her all morning and I think you were right. She probally just bruised it.