Can't get the bandaid method to work on spraddle leg for bantam

[melaniearej]

I was dropper feeding the 2 that were worse, the one in the cup does eat and drink

 

[peopleRanimals2]

Ok, if you could get someone to hold the chick while you apply the bandaid it might help. If it isn't sticking, then you might have to apply some kind of adhesive to the bandaid, but if you get them all on, even temporarily, then its a good place to start

 

[melaniearej]

The second one died
Maybe it's too much stress for me messing with them?
I know I am stressed! Never had this happen before. I also never had any of this spraddle leg! Maybe it's just a bad batch of birds?
I am worried about this 3rd one, I don't want to try bandaids or rubber bands!!! I guess I will keep using the cup method. Does anyone know if this will really work?

 

[peopleRanimals2]

If that works, then you can watch to see if the bandaids are coming off. The main goal is that they can reach food and water by themselves. Then you can try to see if they have any other obvious health issues. When one of my first chicks had spraddle leg, we did the rubber band thing until the issue was mostly fixed, but the rubber band kept coming off. It usually only takes a few days to fix, thank goodness

 

[peopleRanimals2]

Oh i'm so sorry

 

[melaniearej]

My husband did help me originally with applying the bandaids. I felt like it was still difficult, their legs are so tiny compared to the standards. Ugh might not buy baby bantams again. I love the bantams but this was terrible!

 

[peopleRanimals2]

Yeah, it's really hard. Im doing a little research on alternative ways to fix it. The main goal is to keep the chicks legs together until their muscles are strong enough to do it themselves, so if you can make up your own way to do it, it can't hurt.

 

[peopleRanimals2]

Also, what bedding are you using for the chicks? If they all have splayed legs, then you might need to find better bedding that they can't slip on

 

[peopleRanimals2]

http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/02/spraddle-leg-in-baby-chicks-what-is-it.html
This website has some helpful information, and the method mentioned might help.

 

[melaniearej]

Unfortunately, when I brought them home, I noticed the splayed legs right away. I have about 1-2 inches of pine shavings down. I didn't check them very good before I left the store. Although, I thought I did.
I had separated the ones with the bad legs pretty quickly as I do have a few standards that are the same age but they are bigger. Now, my third one may have been accidentally squashed a little so now all the bantams are separated from the standards. Lessons learned!